Ali Taher was IDF's most complex battle terrain yet, Egoz forces chief tells 'Post' – interview

Lt.-Col. "M," commander of the Egoz special forces, described the battle for Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon as the IDF's most complex operation in the last three years. The months-long effort, codenamed "Chisel of Flames," involved capturing a 600-meter-high ridge and destroying 14 tunnel routes, totaling 5.4 km, built with Iranian assistance over two decades. The challenges included difficult terrain, unprecedented numbers of explosive drones, and a heavily booby-trapped underground complex that served as Hezbollah's command-and-control center for the entire Nabatiya area. Egoz commandos achieved surprise through various tactics, engaging in close-quarters combat where they "saw the fear and surprise in the enemy's eyes." Capt. "D" of the Yahalom special unit detailed the use of advanced techniques to dismantle the complex, which was ultimately destroyed with 1,100 pounds of explosives, marking a significant setback for Hezbollah and Iran.