Key facts
- Israel's military announced it has cleared Hezbollah fighters from tunnels under the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon.
- Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the mission's completion, stating tunnels were cleared of terrorists.
- The military reported some Hezbollah fighters were eliminated and others fled.
- Hezbollah has not yet commented on the Israeli claims.
- Israel released four Lebanese detainees to Lebanese authorities via the ICRC.
- One Lebanese man was released earlier on Thursday.
- Israel stated none of the five detainees had ties to militant groups.
- Lebanon agreed to search for the bodies of Jewish Lebanese citizens missing since the civil war.
- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun indicated these releases are a 'first batch'.
Israel's military has cleared Hezbollah fighters from tunnels beneath the strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, according to Defense Minister Israel Katz. The military stated that some fighters were eliminated while others fled, though Hezbollah has not yet commented on the claims. This development comes amid heightened tensions and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Separately, Israel released four Lebanese detainees to Lebanese authorities via the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). This release is part of a deal where Lebanon will search for the bodies of Jewish Lebanese citizens missing since the civil war. One Lebanese man had been released earlier on Thursday, and Israel confirmed none of the five detainees had ties to militant groups. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun suggested these releases are a 'first batch,' implying further releases may occur. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also stated that Lebanon would transfer the remains of Jewish figures killed in the 1980s to Israel.