Israel Plans Troop Drawdown, New Border Zone in Southern Lebanon

The Israeli military is preparing for "sensitive days" in its northern region and the possibility of retaliation from Hezbollah and potentially Iran, following its announcement of "operational control and clearing of tunnels and underground infrastructure" at the Al-Taher hill in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces continue to work on "neutralizing and destroying tunnels" in the area. The military is also planning to reduce and redeploy its forces, withdrawing them into a new "security zone" closer to the Israeli-Lebanese border after completing operations at Al-Taher hill.

Israeli security sources indicated that recent meetings have been held regarding the establishment of this new "security zone" near the border, intended to protect border communities, according to Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11. Under the proposed plan, instead of the current "Blue Line" which extends into Lebanon, Israeli troops would withdraw and position themselves closer to the border, between 3 to 4 kilometers away. This new area has been internally referred to as the "Gray Line," where military posts manned by Israeli soldiers would be established within Lebanese territory.

Kan 11 reported that the plan is still incomplete and has not yet received political approval. Significant questions remain, particularly concerning the handover of the area to the Lebanese army and potential negotiations between the two countries. However, the core of the plan involves a substantial reduction in Israeli forces.

This development comes as Iran has warned the United States of a strong response to any Israeli attack on the Al-Taher hill, according to three officials cited by Reuters on Thursday. The Al-Taher hill overlooks the Nabatieh region and routes connecting southern Lebanon to the Ikleem al-Tuffah area, a historical Hezbollah stronghold. Control of this hill impacts Hezbollah's ability to move, transport supplies, and launch rockets and drones into Israel.

Israeli military forces, specifically the 36th Division, have been operating in the Al-Taher hill area for weeks, employing ambushes, attacking tunnel entrances, and utilizing grenades, drones, and air and ground fire. The military announced that within a complex at the hill, forces discovered command and control rooms, weapons storage, power generator rooms, kitchens, bathrooms, and sleeping quarters, which enabled Hezbollah operatives to conduct prolonged underground combat operations. The Israeli military asserts that this strategic infrastructure was developed over approximately two decades with Iranian planning and funding, according to Kan 11.