Israel claims control of strategic Ali Taher ridge in Lebanon

Israel's defence forces announced on Thursday that they have seized operational control of the Ali Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, a hill that overlooks the city of Nabatiyeh and hosts a network of tunnels used by Hezbollah fighters. The statement said the site contained underground command centres, weapons storage, generators, living quarters and a kitchen, and that Israeli troops had cleared the area of Hezbollah personnel and were working to neutralise the underground infrastructure.

Hezbollah has not issued an official comment since the announcement. A Hezbollah legislator, Ihab Hamadeh, questioned the continued Israeli attacks on the hill, suggesting uncertainty about the extent of Israeli control. An Associated Press photographer who visited nearby Kfar Rumman reported no visible Israeli presence on the ridge.

The United States, which is mediating talks between Lebanon and Israel, had urged Hezbollah to hand the hill over to the Lebanese army as part of a broader plan to disarm the group. Lebanon's deputy prime minister, Tarek Mitri, said the Lebanese army was ready to take over the position and accused Israel of blocking the handover for political reasons ahead of its October elections.

The hill has been a focal point of daily shelling and airstrikes since a U.S.-brokered cease-fire took effect in late June. Israeli operations intensified in July after a Hezbollah drone attack wounded three Israeli soldiers, prompting airstrikes that killed 11 civilians. Hezbollah officials have downplayed the hill's strategic importance, stating that its loss would not end the group.

Analysts note that Israeli control of Ali Taher could open routes toward Nabatiyeh and other Hezbollah strongholds, potentially strengthening Israel's negotiating position in future talks about its withdrawal from Lebanon.