Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that “the takeover of Ali al-Taher Hill marks the completion of the tightening of control over the security zone in southern Lebanon.”

He said: “We advanced toward Ali al-Taher after receiving intelligence indicating the presence of Hezbollah command-and-control tunnels,” adding that “the Israeli army will continue to neutralize and destroy the tunnels and will deploy forces according to an appropriate tactical arrangement.”

Katz added: “We will not withdraw from the security zone until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon.”