Elite Shaldag Unit Captures Strategic Lebanese Ridge in Final Minutes Before Ceasefire

The elite Shaldag unit captured Cristofani Ridge in a pre-ceasefire raid. Read how the IDF secured the high ground north of Mount Hermon in April 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 12:54 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from The Times of Israel

A Precision Strike in the Twilight of Conflict

The Israel Defense Forces executed a calculated tactical maneuver in the final minutes of the conflict with Hezbollah, landing elite commandos on a key geographical feature in southern Lebanon. Members of the Air Force’s Shaldag unit were airlifted to Cristofani Ridge, a location that offers significant oversight of the surrounding mountainous terrain. The timing of the raid was surgical, with troops touching down just as the diplomatic clock neared the midnight deadline for the 10-day ceasefire brokered by the United States. Military officials characterized the move as a preemptive measure to ensure that the IDF holds the "high ground" during the current period of relative calm.

Command Center Oversight of the Shaldag Mission

The operation was monitored in real-time by the highest levels of the Israeli military establishment. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, alongside IAF Commander Maj. Gen. Tomer Bar, oversaw the mission from the Air Force's underground command center. This high-level supervision underscores the strategic importance of Cristofani Ridge, which sits approximately 12 kilometers north of the Mount Hermon range. The ridge provides a natural barrier and observation point, effectively expanding the IDF's buffer zone and allowing for enhanced monitoring of Hezbollah movements within the eastern sector of the Litani River region.

Securing the "Security Zone" Before the Truce

The capture of Cristofani Ridge aligns with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s stated objective of maintaining a 10-kilometer "security zone" inside Lebanese territory. While the terms of the ceasefire prohibit offensive actions, they allow for "self-defense" against imminent threats. By occupying this strategic ridge, the IDF has established a forward defensive line that complicates Hezbollah's ability to reposition heavy weaponry or launch cross-border raids during the 10-day truce. The military believes that holding such elevated positions is essential for ensuring the safety of residents in northern Israel, who have faced months of persistent rocket fire.