Claimed Israeli capture of Lebanese ridge reshapes negotiation dynamics

Beirut, Lebanon – On Friday, Israel claimed to have established operational control over the Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, a development in its fight against Hezbollah that analysts believe could also give Israel greater leverage in negotiations with the Lebanese government planned for later this month.

The Israeli operation to seize the ridge has been ongoing for weeks – and what it says are Hezbollah tunnels underneath – with frequent drone and air strikes by the Israeli military. Analysts told Al Jazeera that the strategically important high ground is significant for the Israelis and Hezbollah because it overlooks a number of nearby regions, including the southern city of Nabatieh.

As well as its claims about a network of Hezbollah tunnels, Israel also says the Iranian-backed Lebanese group had underground operations rooms, weapons stores and living quarters for fighters. Despite Israel’s assertion that it has control over the ridge, military operations and attacks are reportedly ongoing.

That is despite the June “ceasefire” Israel agreed with Lebanon, but which is being repeatedly violated.

Political and security analyst, Bassel Doueik, told Al Jazeera that Ali al-Taher is crucial to the outcome of Lebanese-Israeli negotiations.

“Israel has continued to breach the ceasefire daily and the Lebanese government is still trying to negotiate because it doesn’t have any other choice,” Doueik said. “However, if Israel actually occupies the hill, it will give it more of an upper hand in the negotiations because it will be occupying more land.”

Israel and Lebanon began engaging in US-mediated direct negotiations in April, despite Hezbollah’s opposition.

The talks come after nearly three years of Israeli attacks on Lebanon. The latest war began on October 8, 2023, when Hezbollah attacked Israel after the beginning of its genocidal war on Gaza. Israel then unilaterally intensified fighting in September 2024, eventually killing more than 4,000 people in Lebanon and assassinating much of Hezbollah’s military leadership, including longtime Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah. It also invaded southern Lebanon and began demolishing homes and infrastructure throughout the area.