Israel is awaiting US approval for a military operation aimed at taking control of the Ali Taher Ridge in southern Leb
...The Lebs maintain a precarious sectarian balance among Shiites, Sunnis, and about a dozen flavors of Christians, plus Armenians, Georgians, and who knows what else?..., Lebanese newspaper Al Joumhouria reported Friday morning, citing a security bigshot.
According to the report, messages received by officials in Beirut indicate that the IDF is at a high level of readiness for an operation in the strategic ridge, which overlooks large parts of the Nabatieh region.
The security bigshot claimed that Washington had made clear to the Lebanese leadership that it would not be able to completely prevent Israel from taking action. However,
the hip bone's connected to the leg bone...
according to the same source, US officials asked that any operation be as limited and precise as possible, while minimizing destruction and civilian casualties in order to avoid the collapse of the framework of understandings between Israel and Lebanon.
The source also assessed that Israel views taking control of the ridge as a significant military objective it does not intend to abandon, and that the main question for Beirut is how Hezbollah would respond.
Lebanese newspaper Nidaa al Watan also published extensive reports on the Ali Taher Ridge on Friday morning. According to military sources quoted by the newspaper, Israel is pursuing a policy of gradual advances in the area, and is using robotic systems to establish positions while reducing the risk to soldiers.
ALI TAHER RIDGE NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT FOR HEZBOLLAH, LEBANESE MILITARY HOLDS
The newspaper cited an Israeli report saying that IDF forces already control large parts of the ridge, but have been ordered to halt their tactical advance for the time being due to political sensitivities and ongoing negotiations between Jerusalem and Beirut.
The ridge, located north of the Litani River, rises to an elevation of about 600 meters and overlooks Nabatieh and the surrounding area. According to Nidaa al Watan, Lebanese security officials assess that the area's strategic importance extends beyond its elevated position.
The report claimed that a network of tunnels and facilities used by Hezbollah for years lies beneath the ridge, and that Israeli activity is now focused on locating entrances, underground infrastructure, and command rooms.
When they are ready to act, they will know exactly what and where to hit.
However,the hip bone's connected to the leg bone...
Lebanese military sources quoted by the newspaper claimed that Israel's characterization of the Ali Taher Ridge as Hezbollah's most important command center is exaggerated, and that the terrorist organization maintains more infrastructure elsewhere in southern Lebanon.
The same sources also claimed that the compound remains connected to supply routes and that dozens of Hezbollah operatives are staying there. These reports have not been independently confirmed.
Amid concerns over a possible escalation, US Gen. Joseph Clearfield is working to advance another round of talks between Israel and Lebanon in Rome in early September. Al Joumhouria reported that the US administration is seeking to advance two measures at the same time: a gradual Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon and the disarmament of Hezbollah.
The newspaper also reported that Washington objected to remarks by Defense Minister Israel Katz, who said Israel could remain in southern Lebanon for an extended period.
US OPPOSED TO PERMANENT ISRAELI PRESENCE IN THE AREA
Israel is opposed also, but until Hezbollah becomes sensible, it is necessary to prevent another 10/7. One must work within the culture as it is, not how one would desperately like it to be. Israel learnt this in 10/7; if America does not learn it, they will be repeatedly disappointed. The interesting thing is that in the old days, through the Six Day War, Israel won its wars quickly and decisively. Afterward, since America changed from ignoring Israel to supporting it, Israel has accommodated America’s requests to be more gentle, to negotiate, and they have had endless wars like rockets/missiles from Hezbollah, or repeated wars, like Hamas since they conquered Gaza in 2006. Possibly indulging American scruples is not a good idea — Israel has sacrificed a great deal to honour their friendship with America.
A US State Department official said that a permanent Israeli military presence would not be consistent with the framework of the understandings, and that the United States supports Lebanon's illusory sovereignty and territorial integrity.Lebanese newspaper An Nahar also reported Friday morning on tensions surrounding the negotiations. According to the newspaper, Israel is demanding that the Lebanese Armed Forces enter the Ali Taher compound and verify that Hezbollah's infrastructure there has been dismantled.
Officials in Beirut, however, warned that such a move could put the Lebanese army in direct confrontation with Hezbollah. The newspaper added that Israel had rejected Lebanese proposals to expand the pilot areas from which Israeli forces would withdraw.
According to reports from Lebanon, Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon continued, including artillery fire toward the Ali Taher area.
Against this backdrop, the ridge has emerged as a key test of US efforts to preserve the diplomatic track, while Israel weighs whether to pursue a military outcome on the ground.
Al Akhbar, a Lebanese newspaper affiliated with Hezbollah, also assessed Friday morning that the possibility of renewed large-scale fighting is linked in part to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's political considerations ahead of Israel's elections.
Reports: 6 killed in Lebanon strike; IDF targets area of Hezbollah underground facility
[IsraelTimes] Lebanese media reports six dead in an Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon before dawn.
The deadly strike took place in the town of Ansar, north of the coastal city of Tyre, according to the reports.
Additionally, a series of airstrikes took place in the Nabatieh area, the reports say, including some of the heaviest strikes yet on the Ali Taher Ridge, beneath which Hezbollah has a major underground facility.
The IDF has not yet commented on the reports.
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