# Conflict over Ali al-Tahir heights and security zone > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/conflict-over-ali-al-tahir-heights-in-lebanon > Updated: 2026-09-11T03:09:35.000Z. Sources: 179. Developments: 8. The conflict in southern Lebanon remains centered on the strategic Ali al-Tahir heights. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed operational control over the ridge, a high-ground position overlooking Nabatieh, following operations to clear Hezbollah fighters and a network of underground tunnels. To minimize soldier exposure, the Israeli military utilized drones and robotic systems to navigate the subterranean infrastructure. The IDF subsequently destroyed the network using over 1,100 tons of explosives to demolish a system of eight underground galleries with a total length exceeding 5.4 kilometers. The massive explosions triggered by the demolition were significant enough to be recorded as a magnitude 4.1 seismic event by the USGS and produced shockwaves felt as far as Sidon and throughout the Nabatieh region. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the destruction of this infrastructure completes the establishment of Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon. Israeli officials claim the complex, which was reportedly built over two decades with Iranian financing and planning, served as a central command facility for Hezbollah’s Badr Unit and was designed to support plans to conquer the Galilee region by providing observation and fire capabilities over northern Israeli communities like Metula and Kiryat Shmona. During the operation, troops reportedly discovered a significant cache of weaponry, including Iranian-made rockets, missiles, drones, machine guns, and hundreds of mines and explosive devices. Israeli forces intend to maintain a presence in the area to prevent Hezbollah from reoccupying the ridge and have indicated readiness to continue military strikes against Hezbollah at additional locations. While Israel has released imagery to support its claims, Hezbollah and Lebanese media continue to dispute the extent of Israeli dominance. The human cost remains high, with the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reporting 4,358 deaths since March 2, 2026. ## Claims - Since March 2, Israeli attacks have caused 4,353 deaths and 12,323 injuries in Lebanon. (disputed by 9 sources) - The capture of Ali al-Taher hill marks the completion of Israel's control over its security zone in southern Lebanon. (disputed by 4 sources) - Hezbollah sources denied that Israeli forces had captured the depths of the heights, claiming the incursion was limited to the edges of the woods. (disputed by 2 sources) - From March 2 to September 5, 2026, Israeli attacks in Lebanon caused 4,358 deaths and 12,359 injuries. (disputed) - The operation marks the completion of the establishment of Israel’s security zone in southern Lebanon. (corroborated by 27 sources) - The Israeli military destroyed Hezbollah's underground infrastructure at Ali al-Tahir Hill in the Nabatieh region of southern Lebanon. (corroborated by 25 sources) - The facilities were reportedly built over approximately 20 years through Iranian financing and planning. (corroborated by 25 sources) - Troops discovered dozens of Iranian-made rockets, missiles, and drones inside the network. (corroborated by 22 sources) - The explosion at Ali Taher hill caused a seismic tremor measuring 4.1 magnitude. (corroborated by 21 sources) - Israeli soldiers will remain in the area to prevent Hezbollah forces from returning to the ridge. (corroborated by 20 sources) - Israel has claimed operational control over the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. (corroborated by 17 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-11: Israel destroys Hezbollah tunnel network in southern Lebanon Israel destroyed a 2km Hezbollah tunnel network under Lebanon's Ali Taher Ridge using 1,100 tons of explosives, triggering a 4.1 magnitude tremor and establishing a new security zone. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-demolishes-hezbollah-tunnels-in-lebanon-triggering-magnitude-41-tremor ### 2026-09-08: Hezbollah underground infrastructure destroyed at Ali al-Taher ridge Israel has destroyed a strategic Hezbollah tunnel network at the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, using over 1,100 tons of explosives and triggering a 4.1 magnitude earthquake. 72 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-destroys-hezbollah-tunnel-network-in-southern-lebanon-1 ### 2026-09-06: Israeli military plans withdrawal from southern Lebanon's Yellow Line The Israeli military plans to destroy underground bunkers in Lebanon's Ali al-Tahir heights and withdraw to a new “Grey Line” 2–4 km from the border, pending political approval. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-military-plans-withdrawal-from-southern-lebanons-yellow-line ### 2026-09-05: Israeli military clears Hezbollah tunnel network in Ali al-Tahir The Israeli military has cleared Hezbollah's tunnel network in Lebanon's Ali al-Tahir heights and is considering relocating forces closer to the border to establish a new security zone. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-completes-mission-in-ali-al-tahir-heights-in-southern-lebanon ### 2026-09-04: Israel seizes strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon The Israeli military has seized operational control of the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon. Ongoing strikes have raised Lebanon's total death toll since October 2023 to over 8,900 people. 87 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israel-secures-southern-lebanon-security-zone-via-ali-al-taher-hill ### 2026-09-02: IDF clears Hezbollah underground infrastructure on Ali al-Taher ridge The IDF has cleared Hezbollah's underground infrastructure on Lebanon's Ali al-Taher ridge, reporting operational control and the discovery of strategic facilities funded by Iran. 14 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/israeli-military-claims-control-of-ali-al-tahir-heights-in-lebanon ### 2026-09-02: Ali al-Taher ridge becomes strategic flashpoint in Israel-Hezbollah war The Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon has become a strategic flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah war due to its commanding views and suspected underground Hezbollah command facilities. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ali-al-tahir-hill-battle-marks-strategic-shift-in-lebanon ### 2026-08-28: Hezbollah rejects handover of Ali al-Tahir heights to Lebanese Army Hezbollah has rejected proposals to hand the Ali al-Tahir heights to the Lebanese Army, despite U.S. and Israeli pressure to link the move to a potential ceasefire in southern Lebanon. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/hezbollah-rejects-handover-of-ali-al-tahir-heights-to-lebanese-army --- Cite as: Conflict over Ali al-Tahir heights and security zone. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/conflict-over-ali-al-tahir-heights-in-lebanon