Israel claims control of Lebanon’s key Ali al-Taher ridge: What that means | Israel attacks Lebanon News
Israel Claims Control Over Strategic Ridge Amid Ongoing Conflict with Hezbollah
Israel has announced that its forces have gained operational control over the strategically significant Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, following an extended military operation targeting positions held by the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on Friday that Israeli troops successfully expelled Hezbollah fighters from a network of tunnels beneath the highland, located approximately 15 kilometers (10 miles) from the Israeli border.
“Prime Minister Netanyahu and I are leading a clear and uncompromising policy, reinforced every day by the Israeli military: Israel will not withdraw from the security zone in Lebanon until Hezbollah is disarmed throughout Lebanon and the threats to the residents of the Galilee are removed,” Katz said, according to Israeli media reports. He emphasized that the capture of the ridge is a significant step toward achieving Israel’s objectives.
As of now, Hezbollah has not formally responded to Israel’s claims. However, just hours prior to Katz’s remarks, Reuters reported that Iran issued a warning to the United States last month, threatening a strong response should Israeli attacks on the ridge persist. The Ali al-Taher ridge rises 600 meters (1,970 feet) above sea level.
The conflict between Israel and Hezbollah has been ongoing since October 2023, with periods of intensified fighting noted. This escalation has seen Israel increase military operations, particularly following the onset of the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.
Since the latest wave of violence, Israel has sought to solidify its presence in southern Lebanon by establishing a security or buffer zone. Human rights organizations have raised concerns that this initiative has involved deliberate actions against civilian infrastructure, which may constitute violations of international law and has led to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese.
Israeli military actions near the Ali al-Taher ridge have continued despite a ceasefire reached in June, following Israel’s control of nearby Beaufort Castle and adjoining elevated terrain.
Mohanad Hage Ali, from the Carnegie Middle East Center, attributes Israel’s military advantages to both technological superiority and a lack of restraint in its operations, resulting in significant daily casualties in Lebanese towns and villages. He characterized these actions as amounting to ethnic cleansing.
Analysts suggest that the military operations are, in part, positioned as a means to protect citizens of northern Israel, with some indicating that Prime Minister Netanyahu is addressing electoral pressures ahead of upcoming elections.
“The Israeli operational control over the ridge is a tactical gain, enabling Israel better control over southern Lebanon,” stated Ahron Bregman, an Israeli security analyst at King’s College London. He noted that this move also serves to exert pressure on the Lebanese government regarding its stance on Hezbollah.
Nicholas Blanford, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, raised questions regarding Hezbollah’s silence on Israel’s claims. He suggested that a potential agreement may have been reached or that Israel might be overstating its military successes.
“What we know is that Hezbollah appears poised to reengage in resistance activities, but decision-making seems to have shifted to Iran, which currently prefers a quieter approach,” Blanford noted.
The lack of a response from Tehran may complicate Netanyahu’s political position, as he has heavily invested in efforts to conclude the conflict with Iran, which he has labeled an existential threat to Israel.
Katz has indicated that an attack on Israel would remove constraints on military operations, suggesting that such a scenario could lead to comprehensive strikes on Iranian infrastructure, which could have severe legal implications.
As Netanyahu prepares for October elections, the situation in southern Lebanon could prove pivotal. According to Bregman, the question remains whether Iran will aid Hezbollah, a scenario that Netanyahu might hope for to potentially delay his electoral challenges.
