Report: Most of Hezbollah members in Ali al-Taher 'have been killed'
Israel is “dissatisfied” with the Lebanese Army’s performance so far in the so-called “pilot zones” in south Lebanon – a U.S.-backed mechanism that began about a month and a half ago, Israel’s public broadcaster reported.
It quoted a senior U.S. official as saying that Lebanese Army officers have informed Washington that they “oppose a rapid Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon at this stage, fearing Hezbollah would return to the same positions.” The official added that work is underway with both sides to reach a future arrangement, but that it “will take time.”
Regarding the Ali al-Taher ridge, the broadcaster reported that Hezbollah members are still present there, but Israeli assessments suggest that most of those at the site “have been killed.”
Israeli news portal i24NEWS meanwhile offered a more specific estimate of the number still inside the site, speaking of 10 to 15 Hezbollah members, while Israel is controlling by fire and monitoring approximately 12 tunnel entrances through sensors and drones.
Israel’s public broadcaster also reported that discussions have been underway within the Israeli security establishment for several days regarding two options: maintaining control of the Ali al-Taher ridge or transferring it in an organized manner to the Lebanese Army.
Israel has also informed the United States of these developments ahead of the resumption of direct talks between Lebanon and Israel next month, the broadcaster said.
Meanwhile, political sources told al-Joumhouria newspaper that "no date has yet been set for the eighth round of negotiations between Lebanon and Israel” and that “the Lebanese presidency is still awaiting a response from the American mediator, which spoke of a set of demands stipulated by the Israelis before a date can be set for the new meeting in Rome.”
“These demands include, but are not limited to, granting the Lebanese Army the authority to intervene, conduct searches, and enter homes and private properties, in addition to the Ali Taher hill and the surrender of Hezbollah's weapons -- all of which are considered impossible conditions," the source said.
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