Playing for time: Despite US pressure, Israel stalls Lebanon talks until after election
Ahead of the eighth round of talks in Rome, the Israeli military reported clearing Hezbollah's underground stronghold at Ali al-Taher after besieging the ridge for months.
TEL AVIV — Israel faces mounting US pressure to advance talks with Lebanon even as its military presses ahead with operations at the strategic Ali al-Taher Ridge. The dual track reflects the deep divisions persisting between the two sides over how to implement the agreement.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz pledged Friday to clear Hezbollah from the strategic ridge and to destroy its military assets.
Katz's announcement not only prompted speculation about the future of US-sponsored Israeli-Lebanese peace talks, it also raised concerns that Iran could intensify attacks against Israel. Reuters recently reported that Iran has threatened to deepen its involvement if Israel moves to take the ridge.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that he had agreed to release five Lebanese prisoners held in Israel, signaling to Washington and Beirut that despite the ongoing Israeli military campaign in Ali al-Taher, he was not backing out of the talks.
