Israel and Hezbollah battle over a strategic hill in Lebanon
Israel and Hezbollah are engaged in a localized conflict over a strategic hill in Lebanon, despite a broader ceasefire. Israel claims to have taken operational control of the site, which contains a network of tunnels used by the militant group.
Why it matters
The ongoing skirmish threatens to destabilize the fragile ceasefire and complicates international efforts to resolve broader regional tensions.
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BEIRUT (AP) — Since a ceasefire went into effect between Israel and Hezbollah more than two months ago, fighting has stopped in much of Lebanon, but not on a strategic hill overlooking parts of a main southern city.
In recent weeks, Ali Taher hill has been the scene of daily shelling and airstrikes by Israel’s military. Hezbollah, a militant group backed by Iran, has repeatedly attacked Israeli forces in the area with drones.
The United States, which is mediating talks between Lebanon and Israel, had wanted Hezbollah to hand over the hill to the Lebanese army as part of larger plan to disarm the militant group and dismantle its infrastructure. But Hezbollah has refused.
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