Israel Secures Control Over Al-Taher Heights on the Ground, But Politics Halt Further Expansion

According to a report published by the Israeli website "Walla," the Israeli army managed to establish control over most of the Al-Taher heights in southern Lebanon after a phased military operation that also included the Chqif area, before deciding to freeze its ground advance at the current border line, due to political considerations linked to negotiations between Beirut and Tel Aviv and regional and international pressures.

As per the report, the operation began with the capture of the Chqif area and its underground facilities, followed by Israeli engineering units destroying parts of the infrastructure there using large quantities of explosives. Subsequently, forces moved on to later stages of the operation, culminating in control over the lower portion of the Al-Taher mountain range.

The area holds strategic military significance, according to the Israeli narrative, due to its location between the Litani River and the Nabatiyyeh plateau, extending toward the opposing Chqif heights. Walla quoted Israeli security sources stating that the area was considered vital for Hezbollah, which had invested in it over several years, along with facilities Israel claims were developed by Iranian engineers and Lebanese contractors.

The report noted that the Israeli military discovered an extensive network of underground installations, including command and control centers, weapon storage depots, military positions, and tunnels, claiming some were prepared for offensive operations targeting the Galilee, while others were designed to counter any Israeli ground incursion into Lebanese territory.

According to Walla, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir pushed for completing full control over the entire height range, but political considerations—especially the U.S. stance and international pressure—prevented further advancement at this stage.

Similarly, Israeli sources reported that several Hezbollah fighters remain trapped inside facilities and tunnels in the area, following the killing of others, as alleged by Israel. An Israeli security official stated that some elements might continue remaining underground, utilizing stored food supplies, while Israeli forces are surrounding the area and blocking supply routes.

According to the same account, Israeli forces have presented three possible scenarios for the current situation: the surrender of the besieged fighters, an outbreak of confrontation, or attempts to smuggle supplies into the area, with troops maintaining a high state of alert.

Meanwhile, several towns in southern Lebanon, including Bint Jbeil and Hasbaya, witnessed a series of explosions carried out by the Israeli army, as Israeli forces continue their ground operations across multiple areas in the south.

As per the report, the decision to halt progress does not mean withdrawal from the positions already captured by the Israeli army, but rather maintaining the current ground situation until the trajectory of negotiations and associated political pressures related to the Lebanon-Israel border become clearer.

This places the Al-Taher heights operation in a new phase, marked by consolidating the existing presence and control, while the next step remains dependent on political and military developments in southern Lebanon.