Israel Prepares Military Operation to Seize Strategic Ali Taher Ridge in South Lebanon

Israel is preparing for a military operation to take control of the strategic Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah militants are entrenched in an underground complex. According to Lebanese media reports on Friday, Israel is awaiting American approval before proceeding. A senior security official told the Lebanese newspaper Al-Joumhouria that messages received in Beirut indicate Israel is at a high state of readiness for the battle and is waiting for a signal from the US. The American side has informed Lebanese authorities that it cannot fully prevent an Israeli operation but has requested that Israel conduct a precise, surgical strike minimizing civilian harm and avoiding violations of the framework agreement regulating the situation in southern Lebanon.

The official added that Israel views capturing the ridge as a crucial achievement it will not relinquish. Lebanese observers are closely monitoring Hezbollah's potential response, fearing it could escalate into a broader conflict affecting southern Lebanese villages. Concurrently, Al-Akhbar reported that American sources have not ruled out rapid Israeli actions targeting sensitive Hezbollah sites in the Ali Taher ridge area, which Israel claims hosts a central command center for the group.

On the ground, Israeli forces continue to besiege the tunnel system beneath the ridge, where dozens of Hezbollah militants remain underground. Israeli troops are attempting to prevent their escape or reinforcement. Lebanese reports cited by Israeli media claim water supply lines have been cut and Hezbollah has tried to resupply its fighters via drones.

This issue has become a focal point in political negotiations. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Israel conditions the continuation of the ceasefire on Hezbollah's withdrawal from the Ali Taher ridge and transferring control to the Lebanese army. An informed source described the evacuation of the ridge as a key condition for implementing the framework agreement. This topic is expected to dominate the agenda at the next round of Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome, scheduled for early September. Meanwhile, Lebanese sources believe these developments are influenced by a potential US-Iran agreement that could directly affect the future of the conflict in southern Lebanon.