‘Israel’ weighs troop redeployment in southern Lebanon

• ‘Israeli’ forces have reportedly withdrawn from the strategic Ali al-Taher heights and repositioned toward the Shakif area after destroying a large underground network.
• The move comes days after ‘Israel’ said it had established operational control over the ridge and destroyed Hezbollah infrastructure there, amid ongoing debate over its military presence in southern Lebanon.

The ‘Israeli’ military and political leadership are expected to hold discussions over the deployment of forces in southern Lebanon, as the army reportedly carries out a tactical repositioning from the strategic Ali al-Taher heights.

The ‘Israeli’ army said it withdrew from the heights and moved to rear positions in the Shakif area after completing a major operation there.

The withdrawal follows an extensive operation targeting what ‘Israel’ described as a major Hezbollah underground complex beneath Ali al-Taher.

According to Reuters, the military said the underground network stretched for about two kilometers and included command centers, weapons storage areas, living quarters and rockets, missiles, drones, anti-tank weapons and explosives. The site was reportedly operated by Hezbollah’s Badr unit.

The operation culminated in the destruction of much of the underground infrastructure. The blasts were powerful enough to be detected as seismic activity, with reports of a magnitude 4.1 tremor recorded in the area.

‘Israel’ had previously described the ridge as strategically important and said its control would strengthen what it calls a security zone in southern Lebanon.

Kan reported that the military and political leadership would discuss the broader deployment of forces in southern Lebanon following the operation.

Walla, citing ‘Israeli’ security sources, reported that the army would make a tactical withdrawal from Ali al-Taher to positions it considers better suited to protecting its troops.

The move follows earlier statements from ‘Israeli’ Defense Minister Israel Katz that the army would not withdraw from the strategic ridge after taking control of it.

The redeployment comes as the US-brokered framework for southern Lebanon remains stalled. Under the framework, ‘Israeli’ forces were expected to gradually reposition as the Lebanese army expanded its security role and Hezbollah moved toward disarmament.

The issue has become increasingly contentious as ‘Israel’ continues military operations in southern Lebanon despite the ceasefire framework. Lebanese officials have repeatedly called for an end to the attacks and the withdrawal of ‘Israeli’ forces.

The latest repositioning does not necessarily signal a broader withdrawal from southern Lebanon, with ‘Israeli’ officials continuing to emphasize security considerations and the need to maintain positions they consider strategically important.