BEIRUT — In a development that could reshape the fragile cease‑fire between Israel and Hezbollah, Israel’s military announced Thursday that it has taken “operational control” of the strategic Ali Taher hill and the tunnel network beneath it. The hill, perched north of the Litani River and overlooking the city of Nabatiyeh, has been a flashpoint since the June cease‑fire took effect.
Local impact and regional stakes
For residents of Nabatiyeh and surrounding villages, the hill’s location controls key roadways and supply routes. Israeli officials say the site housed underground command centers, weapons storage, generators, living quarters, showers and a kitchen used by Hezbollah fighters. By clearing the area, Israel claims it is protecting northern Israeli towns and increasing pressure on Hezbollah to disarm.
Hezbollah, the Iran‑backed militant group, has repeatedly attacked Israeli forces with drones and rejected Lebanese government proposals to hand the hill over to the Lebanese army. The group fears that Israeli control of the hill would lead to further territorial demands.
U.S. mediation and diplomatic backdrop
The United States continues to mediate talks between Lebanon and Israel, urging Hezbollah to relinquish the hill as part of a broader plan to dismantle the group’s infrastructure. While Washington says it is ready to speak with Hezbollah if the group agrees to disarm, any progress depends on Tehran’s approval.
Lebanese Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri accused Israel of blocking the Lebanese army’s readiness to take the hill, suggesting political calculations ahead of Israel’s national elections on Oct. 27. He argued the problem lies not with Lebanese forces but with Israel’s stance.
Recent clashes and casualties
Since July, Israel has conducted airstrikes and shelling around Ali Taher, citing Hezbollah drone attacks that wounded three Israeli soldiers. The most lethal strike since the cease‑fire killed 11 people, including women and children. Hezbollah officials have downplayed the hill’s importance, stating that its loss would not end the group’s operations.
On Aug. 27, Israel reported another drone attack by Hezbollah, prompting further strikes that killed one civilian and wounded six. Both sides continue to trade accusations, with no official statement from Hezbollah following Israel’s latest claim of control.
Looking ahead
Negotiations between Lebanese and Israeli officials are scheduled to continue in Rome later this month. Analysts say that Israel’s foothold on Ali Taher could strengthen its position in any future talks about a full withdrawal from Lebanon, while Hezbollah’s refusal to engage directly with the United States suggests the conflict may persist.
For local families in Nabatiyeh, the uncertainty surrounding the hill underscores the broader challenge of maintaining peace in a region where religious and national identities remain deeply intertwined.
Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.
