No Visible Israeli Presence on Ali al-Taher as Lebanese Official Says Hezbollah, US Are Talking

An Associated Press photographer visiting the Lebanese village of Kfar Rumman on Friday saw no visible Israeli military presence on Ali al-Taher hill, one day after Israel announced it had seized “operational control” of the strategic ridge.

The hill, topped by a shrine to a Muslim scholar, lies north of the Litani River, which has become the de facto boundary of territory captured by Israel since its latest war with Hezbollah began in early March. Nasser Khdour, a researcher with the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project, said Israel had conducted military operations around Ali al-Taher since July.

Hezbollah official Mahmoud Qmati said in late August that the group’s fighters were repelling Israeli attempts to take the hill. But he and others played down its importance if Israel captured it. “Ali al-Taher is important, but if it is lost it does not mean the end of Hezbollah,” Qmati said.

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Ali al-Taher is important, but if it is lost it does not mean the end of Hezbollah.

Israel has carried out repeated airstrikes in the area. In mid-August, strikes described by Israel as retaliation for a Hezbollah drone attack on Ali al-Taher seriously wounded three soldiers and killed 11 people, including women and children. On Aug. 27, Israel said Hezbollah had fired two explosive drones at its troops, prompting further strikes that killed one person and wounded six. Hezbollah did not claim responsibility for either attack.

Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri said the Lebanese Army was ready to take control of Ali al-Taher. “The problem is not in the Lebanese Army’s readiness but in Israel’s stance,” he said, accusing Israel of blocking the deployment because of political considerations before its Oct. 27 national election. Lebanese and Israeli officials are due to meet for negotiations in Rome later this month.

A Lebanese official also told The Associated Press that indirect contacts were taking place between the United States and Hezbollah, which has long refused direct talks with Washington. The official spoke anonymously and gave no details. U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michel Issa said Washington was prepared to speak with Hezbollah if it agreed to disarm. Any move by Hezbollah toward talks is unlikely without approval from Iran, its main backer, the article said. The capture of Ali al-Taher would open the way toward Nabatieh and nearby Iqlim al...

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The problem is not in the Lebanese Army’s readiness but in Israel’s stance.