IDF Seizes Hezbollah's Last Southern Lebanon Stronghold, Trapping Fighters

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reportedly established complete control over the Al-Tahar mountain range in southern Lebanon, a significant blow to Hezbollah's infrastructure. According to Maariv, the IDF has cleared underground complexes in the area, where between 70 and 100 Hezbollah militants and Iranian advisors from the Quds Force were trapped since June. Attempts to resupply them via drones were thwarted by Israeli forces, who eliminated militants attempting to reach supplies. The IDF stated that no living militants or advisors were found in the final stage of the operation.

The capture of the Al-Tahar range deprives Hezbollah of its final defensive line in southern Lebanon and strategic assets built over two decades. Concurrently, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reports that U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon, Michelle Issah, delivered Jerusalem's demands to Beirut. Israel accuses the Lebanese army of insufficient action in locating Hezbollah's weapons and warns that without extensive clearing operations in the south, further Israeli troop withdrawals will be blocked.

Meanwhile, France has initiated consultations within the UN Security Council to establish new international forces to replace the UNIFIL mission when its mandate expires at the end of 2026. The U.S. opposes extending the current mandate, while France aims to form a new contingent to support the Lebanese army and prevent a security vacuum. American diplomacy is also attempting to organize a new round of Israeli-Lebanese negotiations in Rome in mid-September, though a key sticking point remains Israel's demand for Hezbollah's complete disarmament before any troop withdrawal.