Israeli troops have entered tunnel networks in the Ali al-Taher area using robotic equipment after forcing out armed fighters, according to military and security sources.
Israeli forces say they have gained operational control of the Ali al-Taher heights above and below ground and cleared the area of armed fighters. The army reported finding operations rooms, weapons, generators and facilities inside the tunnels that would enable prolonged combat and survival.
According to sources close to Hezbollah, the fighters were initially forced from a smaller installation in the area after Israeli forces introduced toxic gases, prompting the trapped militants to use ventilation openings to avoid suffocation. Israel then identified the locations of these openings and tunnel entrances and deployed robots inside.
The Ali al-Taher complex comprises large interconnected facilities. Sources familiar with Hezbollah's planning told Beirut Time that the group rigged the entire installation with explosives in anticipation of an Israeli takeover. In such a scenario, the sources said, Hezbollah would detonate the site completely, killing anyone inside and destroying the rockets and military equipment stored there.
Hezbollah has remained silent about the fate of its fighters, whether any escaped or were killed inside the tunnels.
