‘Israeli’ forces withdraw from Ali al-Taher Heights, ‘Israeli’ army radio says

• The ‘Israeli’ military says it will keep fire control over the heights and act to stop any Hezbollah attempt to retake the position. 

‘Israeli’ troops have pulled back Friday from the Ali al-Taher Heights in southern Lebanon, repositioning to rear lines in the nearby Shaqif area, according to a report from the ‘Israeli’ Army Radio. 

The military said it would retain fire control over the heights and move to stop any attempt by Hezbollah to reoccupy the position. 

Ali al-Taher , a roughly 2,000-foot ridge that sits near the Crusader-era Beaufort Castle (Qalaat al-Shaqif), about 15 kilometers from the ‘Israeli’ border, has been one of the most fought-over pieces of ground in the ‘Israel’-Hezbollah conflict this year.

‘Israeli’ forces spent months trying to secure the position, which the military says Hezbollah had built into an extension of its defenses around the Beaufort/Shaqif stronghold. 

‘Israel’ had said previously its forces had achieved full "operational control" of the ridge, both above and below ground, and destroyed an underground complex there containing command centers, weapons storage, and living quarters. 

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz said at the time that troops would stay in the area to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its presence. 

Read more: ‘Israeli’ settlers steal horse from Palestinian farm in West Bank