Why Ali al-Taher ridge is emerging as Israel-Hezbollah flashpoint
Israel has intensified its strikes and ground operations around the strategic hill in a bid to force Hezbollah out.
BEIRUT — The strategic Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon has emerged as a major flashpoint in the conflict between Israel and Lebanese Hezbollah, as Israeli forces intensify airstrikes and ground operations around the area, which is controlled by the Iranian-backed group.
The Israeli military launched a series of airstrikes around the city of Nabatieh, near Ali al-Taher, on Wednesday, in response to what it says were two drones fired by Hezbollah from the ridge toward Israeli forces operating in the area. According to the Israeli military, one of the drones was downed with no casualties reported among Israeli forces.
On Thursday, the Israeli military announced it had "completed the clearing of Hezbollah’s underground infrastructure in the Ali al-Taher Ridge area" and is operating to “neutralize it.” The military said that those who were inside the infrastructure “carried out terror attacks against Israel & IDF soldiers and were eliminated or fled the area.”
Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency reported that one person was killed in Israeli shelling and airstrikes on Nabatieh al-Fawqa, Arab Salim and the Ali al-Taher ridge on Wednesday.
