*IDF Secures Hezbollah Underground Network in Southern Lebanon's Ali al-Taher Ridge* The IDF says troops from the 36th Division have secured the Ali al-Taher Ridge area in southern Lebanon's Security Zone after weeks of…

*IDF Secures Hezbollah Underground Network in Southern Lebanon's Ali al-Taher Ridge* The IDF says troops from the 36th Division have secured the Ali al-Taher Ridge area in southern Lebanon's Security Zone after weeks of operations targeting two Hezbollah underground routes. According to the military, troops established control both above and below ground, killing some Hezbollah operatives in the area while others fled. The IDF says the tunnels can no longer be used to launch attacks against Israeli civilians or troops, though work to dismantle and neutralize the underground sites is still underway. The military described the infrastructure as an extensive network developed over roughly two decades with Iranian planning and funding. Troops found command facilities, weapons storage areas, generators, sleeping quarters, showers and a kitchen designed to allow Hezbollah operatives to remain underground and conduct operations for prolonged periods. Once the remaining infrastructure has been neutralized, the IDF says it will reassess and adjust its defensive deployment based on conditions on the ground. The military added that it remains committed to the Lebanon ceasefire agreement while warning that it will respond to any Hezbollah attempt to attack Israeli forces and will continue operating in the Security Zone to prevent threats.

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Israel is seeing indications Iran's severe economic pressure and fears of an uprising and regime collapse could push Tehran toward "desperate measures," issuing his second…

Defense Minister Israel Katz said Thursday that Israel is seeing indications Iran's severe economic pressure and fears of an uprising and regime collapse could push Tehran toward "desperate measures," issuing his second warning in two days of a possible Iranian attack. On Wednesday, Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were reviewing the situation with the IDF daily, sometimes "in the middle of the night on the red phone," and would not allow Israel to be surprised. According to Ynet, Military Intelligence and the Israeli Air Force have completed preparations for several defensive and offensive scenarios amid renewed US-Iran fighting, although Israeli security officials do not currently believe the sides are heading toward direct confrontation. Netanyahu separately warned Wednesday that Iran has avoided attacking Israel because it understands the consequences, saying such an attack would be "one of their last decisions." A separate Iranian warning concerns the Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon. Iran warned the United States last month that a full-scale Israeli operation against the ridge would be met with a large-scale Iranian attack, three officials briefed on the message told Reuters. A White House official rejected Reuters' account as inaccurate, while the IDF declined to comment. The IDF says Hezbollah maintains a strategic underground facility inside the ridge that serves as the command center of its Badr regional division. The IDF also said Hezbollah twice launched explosive drones toward Israeli troops near the ridge during the past week. Katz warned Thursday that an Iranian attack would "free us from all constraints" and prompt strikes against all Iranian infrastructure, including energy facilities. The US Embassy in Jerusalem separately warned Americans of the potential for unforeseen regional escalation and possible travel disruptions. Cabinet minister Eli Cohen said Home Front Command had issued no special public instructions and advised Israelis to continue planning for the holidays normally.

Kuwait states that it is currently working to intercept Iranian missile and drone threats and warns its citizens that they may hear explosions from interceptions.

Kuwait states that it is currently working to intercept Iranian missile and drone threats and warns its citizens that they may hear explosions from interceptions.

As the latest confrontation between Washington and Tehran fuels tensions across the Middle East, President Donald Trump sought to reassure Israel that it has nothing to fear. "Israel should not worry," Trump told Kan in…

As the latest confrontation between Washington and Tehran fuels tensions across the Middle East, President Donald Trump sought to reassure Israel that it has nothing to fear. "Israel should not worry," Trump told Kan in a phone interview, adding: "You know why? Because I'm the president and I will take care of Israel."