Lebanon under pressure to deploy troops to strategic Ali al-Taher ridge as Israel bombs area

The strategic Ali-Al-Taher ridge located in south Lebanon’s Nabatieh district has been subjected to almost daily Israeli shelling, amid reports that Hezbollah is refusing to hand it over despite increased pressure.

Reports on Monday stated that Washington has intervened in the matter, seeking for the ridge to be transferred to the Lebanese Army in exchange for Israel withdrawing from the area.

The Ali al-Taher ridge is an important site, as it overlooks the city of Nabatieh from the east, sits around 600 metres above sea level, and is around five kilometres from Beaufort Castle. The ridge’s location is key, as it would give Israelis a better military viewpoint, providing a commanding view of southern Lebanon, the Galilee Panhandle, and beyond.

Israel has failed to seize the ridge in recent years, despite making efforts to do so.

The renewed shelling in the area comes as Israel claims that Hezbollah members are allegedly holed up underground.

While the Lebanese army has not objected to taking over the hill, it has sought guarantees from the US that Israel would halt its attacks on the ridge and its vicinity, withdrawing completely before the army’s forces enter the area.

Discussions between Lebanon and the US in recent days have centred on Ali al-Taher, and growing fears that the confrontations could result in all-out war.

The fears have also prompted calls for Lebanon and Israel to implement the 14-point framework agreement from 26 June, which aims to end active conflict and ensure a phased Israeli withdrawal from the south of the country as well as the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun has reportedly already engaged in discussions with the US to find a solution to the matter and prevent further escalation.

 Aoun has proposed the Lebanese Army enter the area after Hezbollah withdraws, noting that a major concern is Israel occupying the ridge and carrying out large-scale demolitions which would have a knock-on effect on surrounding villages.

However, sources told The New Arab that Hezbollah has so far rejected the proposal because the group does not trust US or Israeli guarantees, citing violations of the ceasefire and what it said was the failure of the 26 June framework agreement.

A source close to Hezbollah also told The New Arab that members of the group are present on the ridge, but declined to give information on how many were there.

The source further said: “The consequences of Israel taking control of the ridge would not be limited to Hezbollah; it would affect Lebanon as a whole. Israel would not stop occupying more hills and expanding into areas beyond the Yellow Line it established and beyond the southern bank of the Litani River.”

“This shows Israel’s desire to violate agreements,” the source added.

The latest developments come as Israel has increased threats to occupy Ali al-Taher, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu increasingly mentioning the hill amid his election campaign.

“It is becoming clear from the Israeli mood that there is a shift toward more extreme positions, in line with the sentiment of the public,” the source told The New Arab.

In recent weeks, the Israeli military has been encircling the hill and has carried out several attempts to seize it.