Netanyahu says Ali al-Taher no longer threatens Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Thursday night that the Israeli army has cleared the strategic Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, which he said Hezbollah had developed as an extension of the Beaufort (al-Shakif) position.

According to Netanyahu, the ridge was used to threaten the northern Israeli settlements of Kiryat Shmona and Metula and was positioned as part of Hezbollah’s plans to potentially invade the Galilee.

“We instructed the IDF (Israeli army) to clear it. I congratulate the Chief of Staff, the Northern Command commander and our heroic soldiers. They did tremendous work there," Netanyahu boasted.

He said Israeli forces seized weapons and computers from the position and eliminated numerous Hezbollah fighters during the operation.

"Today we can say it: the Ali Taher ridge no longer threatens us," Netanyahu declared.