Israel Defense Forces ✔

IDF: The Chief of the General Staff Visits the 36th Division: “Tonight, we dismantled the underground terrorist infrastructure beneath the Ali al-Taher Ridge - the central command, control, and combat infrastructure of Hezbollah, built with Iranian assistance” “We will defend our communities at any cost - the IDF stands as a shield on the front line. Any attack on the communities in northern Israel or on IDF troops defending them will be met with an immediate and forceful response - The Yellow Line remains fully under our operational control, with no change“ “As the new year begins, the entire IDF stands guard over our country - from the Chief of the General Staff to the last soldier, at the frontline positions, headquarters, and command centers” Today (Friday), the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, visited the area of the 36th Division together with Commander of the Northern Command, MG. Rafi Milo, and Commander of the 36th Division, BG Yiftach Norkin. The visit took place after IDF troops, under the command of the division, completed the dismantling of Hezbollah’s underground routes in the area last night. Attached is a video announcement of the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir: https://bit.ly/4gO3F1J Attached are related photos: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/ANC9988766543 Full remarks by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir: “Tonight, we dismantled the underground terrorist infrastructure beneath the Ali al-Taher Ridge, following the clearing of the tunnel network beneath the Beaufort Ridge. Here behind me. This is part of a vast network that was excavated over the course of years at enormous cost - a central command, control, and combat infrastructure site of Hezbollah, built with Iranian assistance. Additionally, our troops located advanced weapons, manufactured in Iran, inside the sites, intended to harm IDF troops and the communities in northern Israel. Following Hamas’ October 7th attack, Hezbollah was the one that initiated and launched war against Israel in the northern arena. Hezbollah is fighting and destroying Lebanon - as an emissary of the Iranian regime. Any village in which terrorist infrastructure is established and terrorists are present is putting itself at risk. Look at what happened in Qantara and Majdal Zoun: entire villages were damaged because an underground terrorist city was built beneath civilian homes. Look at what happened on Ali al-Taher Ridge - how many resources Hezbollah invested at the expense of Lebanese civilians. Resources that have gone to waste. Following the heavy blow Hezbollah sustained, we will not allow it to rebuild its capabilities and reestablish itself in the area. We will defend our communities at any cost - the IDF stands as a shield on the front line. Any attack on the communities in northern Israel or on the IDF troops defending them will be met with an immediate and forceful response. The Lebanese Army must demonstrate effectiveness on the ground. Otherwise, it will not be possible to advance the agreement signed between the governments of Israel and Lebanon. Citizens of Israel: In recent weeks, we have carried out extensive military operations in the sector, led by the Northern Command under the command of MG Rafi Milo, the 36th Division, and the brigades engaged in combat. The mission I assigned to the troops was clear: to dismantle the infrastructure beneath Ali al-Taher Ridge by the eve of Rosh Hashana and redeploy in the area. The Yellow Line remains fully under our operational control, with no change. We conducted continuous situational assessments to ensure that we fulfilled the mission while maintaining the utmost focus on the safety of our troops. We employed all of the IDF’s intelligence, operational, ground, aerial, and logistical capabilities in an integrated manner. Our troops fulfilled the mission thanks to their courage, determination, dedication to the mission, and constant drive to achieve decisive results in accordance with the objective.