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🇺🇸 United States /Conflict & Security

Months after ceasefire, Israel and Hezbollah battle over a strategic hill in Lebanon

From PBS NewsHour · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Newswire From a news agency Ongoing story
  • Fighting has continued around Ali Taher hill in southern Lebanon more than two months after an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire halted clashes in much of the country.
  • Israel says it has taken operational control of the hill and tunnels beneath it, while Hezbollah has rejected a proposal to hand the site to the Lebanese army.
  • The dispute threatens to widen fighting in Lebanon and complicates U.S.-mediated efforts involving Israel, Lebanon and Hezbollah.

Ali Taher hill, a strategic position overlooking southern Lebanon, has become the main flashpoint between Israel and Hezbollah even after a ceasefire stopped fighting across much of the country. In recent weeks, Israeli shelling and airstrikes have struck the hill daily, while Hezbollah has repeatedly attacked Israeli forces there with drones.

On Thursday night, Israel's military said it had taken "operational control" of Ali Taher and a network of tunnels beneath the hill. Israel said the site contained underground command centers, weapons storage rooms, generators, living quarters, showers and a kitchen. It said it had cleared the area of Hezbollah fighters and was working to "neutralize underground infrastructure sites."

The extent of Israel's control remained unclear. Lebanese state media reported that Israeli aircraft were still targeting the hill shortly before the announcement, and Hezbollah had issued no official statement afterward. Hezbollah legislator Ihab Hamadeh questioned why Israel continued attacking the site if it truly controlled the area, according to the Arabic-language version of Russia's Sputnik news outlet.

operational control

· Israeli militaryThe military used the phrase in announcing that it had taken control of Ali Taher hill and tunnels beneath it.

The United States has been mediating talks between Lebanon and Israel and wanted Hezbollah to transfer the hill to the Lebanese army as part of a broader plan to disarm the group and dismantle its infrastructure. Hezbollah rejected the proposal, fearing Israel would take the hill from the army and then demand the handover of more territory.

Lebanon and Israel reached a framework agreement in June under which Israel would withdraw from Lebanon as Hezbollah was disarmed. Hezbollah did not take part in those negotiations and has rejected calls to disarm north of the Litani River, where Ali Taher is located. Israel occupied the hill for 18 years before withdrawing from Lebanon in 2000. Its position overlooks villages and roads leading to Nabatiyeh, and losing control could disrupt Hezbollah's presence and supply lines in the area.

neutralize underground infrastructure sites

· Israeli militaryIsrael described its continuing work at the tunnels beneath the hill.
About this summary

Originally published by PBS NewsHour. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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