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Ali al-Taher Ridge Becomes Flashpoint in Israel-Hezbollah War
Ali al-Taher is a group of hills in southern Lebanon.
The hills are high enough to provide a good view of the surrounding area.
Israel and Hezbollah both consider the location important in their war.
Israel believes Hezbollah has tunnels and weapons hidden beneath the ridge.
Israel has attacked the area and sent troops into nearby locations.
Hezbollah says its fighters still control the ridge and are ready to defend it.
A plan for Israeli troops to leave southern Lebanon has stalled because Hezbollah will not give up its weapons.
Israeli leaders may see control of the ridge as an important victory before elections.
The Ali al-Taher ridge lies about 15 kilometers from Israel’s border in southern Lebanon.
Israel says the ridge is a primary operational focus and has included it in an expanded buffer zone.
Hezbollah is suspected of maintaining an underground command center and weapons stores beneath the ridge.
Israel has heavily bombed the area, while Hezbollah says it retains full control and readiness.
A stalled U.S.-brokered withdrawal and disarmament plan has increased the ridge’s political importance before Israeli elections.
- Who
- Israeli forces and Hezbollah are contesting the Ali al-Taher ridge.
- What
- The ridge has become a strategic and political flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah war.
- Where
- The Ali al-Taher ridge is in southern Lebanon, about 15 kilometers from the Israeli border.
- When
- The current fighting began on March 2; the ridge has been a major focus in recent months.
- Why
- Its elevated position and suspected underground Hezbollah facilities make it militarily important, while control of it could carry political significance before Israeli elections.
Israeli Position
Hezbollah Position
Control of the ridge
Israeli Position
Israel has advanced into southern Lebanon, seized nearby key hilltops and says it will prevent Hezbollah fighters from emerging from underground infrastructure.
Hezbollah Position
Hezbollah says its fighters retain full control of the area and are prepared to confront any Israeli advance or infiltration.
Military approach
Israeli Position
Israeli officials describe the ridge as a primary operational focus because of the threat posed by suspected Hezbollah tunnels, weapons and launch positions.
Hezbollah Position
Hezbollah’s underground presence is presented as part of its ability to defend the area and launch missiles and drones toward northern Israel.
Withdrawal and disarmament
Israeli Position
Israel says it will not withdraw from southern Lebanon until Hezbollah gives up its weapons.
Hezbollah Position
Hezbollah has refused to surrender its weapons, contributing to the collapse of the U.S.-brokered roadmap.
Key facts
- Location
- Southern Lebanon, approximately 15 kilometers from the Israeli border
- Elevation
- About 600 meters above sea level
- Strategic feature
- The ridge overlooks a broad area of southeastern Lebanon and connects border areas with the Iqlim al-Tuffah region
- Suspected Hezbollah infrastructure
- An underground command center and weapons stores are believed to be beneath the ridge
- Israeli military position
- Israel has called Ali al-Taher one of its primary operational focuses and included it in an expanded self-declared buffer zone
- Reported Israeli casualties
- The Times of Israel, citing a military probe, reported one Israeli soldier killed and 13 wounded during operations beneath the ridge
- Diplomatic status
- A U.S.-brokered plan for Israeli withdrawal and Hezbollah disarmament has stalled
Quotes
Israeli military
Israel’s armed forces
“not allow Hezbollah terrorists to emerge from the underground terrorist infrastructure and operate in the area or pose a threat”
theprint.in
“full control over the area and are at complete readiness to confront any attempt by the enemy forces to advance or infiltrate.”
theprint.in
Sources
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