Iran has warned the U.S. that a full-scale Israeli offensive on the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon would trigger a large-scale Iranian response, according to three officials briefed on the message, as fighting around the strategic hill intensifies amid a fragile ceasefire.
The Ali al-Taher ridge, a key stronghold for Hezbollah and Iranian-backed forces, remains a flashpoint in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, with both sides accusing each other of escalating hostilities. Israel claims operational control of the area, while Hezbollah asserts it maintains a significant presence, including underground facilities and tunnels linked to Iran.
Iran’s Warning and the Strategic Ridge
The ridge, which Hezbollah claims to control, is described in Lebanese security sources as housing an underground command center and weapons storage. Israeli forces have occupied territory to the south of the ridge and cited it as a primary operational focus,
according to Reuters.
Hezbollah’s Position and Israeli Tactics
Hezbollah has consistently denied Israeli claims of full control over the ridge, with its media office stating it would confront any Israeli advances.
However, the group has not confirmed reports that Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces are stationed there. Two officials told Reuters that over a dozen IRGC members, including at least two senior officers, were present alongside Hezbollah fighters, though Israel’s military has disputed this, asserting there are no IRGC forces in the area.
Israel’s strategy involves besieging Hezbollah and IRGC personnel by restricting supply lines, according to a Reuters source. The military has shot down drone deliveries of food and water to the ridge, claiming it has trapped fighters underground without resources. Hezbollah, however, has rejected these assertions, with Mahmoud Qamati stating that losing the hill would not mean the end of Hezbollah,
though he downplayed its strategic significance.
Ceasefire Strains and Lebanese Government’s Role
The U.S.-backed ceasefire, which halted major fighting in June, has failed to prevent daily clashes around the ridge. Hezbollah has launched drone attacks on Israeli forces in the area, while Israel has conducted airstrikes targeting the group’s infrastructure. Lebanon’s Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri accused Israel of obstructing the Lebanese army’s efforts to take control of the hill, citing political motivations ahead of Israeli elections on October 27.
This divergence highlights the fragile negotiations between the two sides. Hezbollah’s refusal to hand over the ridge to the Lebanese army has further complicated efforts to enforce the ceasefire, with the group fearing Israel would seize the area and demand additional territorial concessions.
Unresolved Tensions and Regional Implications
The situation remains volatile, with both sides escalating rhetoric and military actions. Hezbollah’s control of the ridge, which offers strategic vantage points over key towns and main roads leading to Nabatiyeh, underscores its importance in the region. Iran’s involvement, whether direct or through proxies, adds another layer of complexity, as the Islamic Republic has repeatedly warned of severe consequences for any Israeli incursion.
As negotiations between Lebanon and Israel continue, the fate of the Ali al-Taher ridge remains uncertain. The U.S. and Oman’s mediating roles are critical, but the lack of trust between the parties threatens to unravel the fragile ceasefire. With Israel’s military operations and Hezbollah’s entrenched presence, the hill’s strategic value ensures it will remain a focal point of the conflict for the foreseeable future.
