In southern Lebanon, the town of Zawtar Gharbieh stands as a testament to the latest shifts in the region’s complex military landscape. Here, Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) have reclaimed control following the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops, in line with a U.S.-mediated agreement between Lebanon and Israel.
The framework agreement requires Israel to pull out from designated pilot zones, contingent on the areas being cleared of Hezbollah presence. However, only one of the two zones has seen Israeli withdrawal so far, and the verification mechanism for Hezbollah’s absence remains undecided. The mayor of Zawtar Gharbieh, Abed Ezzeddine, clarified that while Israeli forces operated in the town, they did not establish a permanent presence.
Both Zawtar Gharbieh and its twin village, Zawtar Sharqieh, are caught in the tension, with Israeli bulldozers visible from the main square in Gharbieh. The LAF continues to clear rubble and restore services, while Israeli drones conduct overhead surveillance, sometimes flying low over the returning residents.
Ezzeddine mentioned, “Sometimes they come very close,” referring to the drones. The LAF has requested, via a ceasefire-established channel involving Lebanon, Israel, the United States, France, and UNIFIL, that Israeli drones maintain a respectful distance.
In this charged environment, the Ali al-Taher hills emerge as a key strategic point. These hills, about 600 meters (2,000 feet) high, have seen regular Israeli shelling and are believed to house a Hezbollah command center. Mounir Shehadeh, a former Lebanese brigadier general, noted, “If reports of underground infrastructure in the area are accurate, the significance of Ali al-Taher extends beyond the surface of the hill itself,” although verification of such details remains elusive.
The hills offer a commanding view over Nabatieh, southern Lebanon’s major city, and their strategic location makes them a focal point of Israeli military operations. Despite the ceasefire, Israeli attacks have intensified, with UNIFIL recording an average of 137 projectiles fired per day during a recent period.
Shehadeh also highlighted the psychological impact of portraying Ali al-Taher as a military stronghold, which could influence public opinion and justify prolonged Israeli operations. This sentiment is echoed by Abbas Fakhreddine, Nabatieh’s mayor, who sees the media portrayal as potentially setting the stage for military actions ahead of Israeli elections.
The geographical and military significance of Ali al-Taher is further accentuated by its connection to Beaufort Castle and the chain of high grounds. Control of such areas offers strategic advantages in surveillance and fire control, but does not necessarily translate to full territorial control.
Despite the mounting pressure on the LAF, their capacity to confront Hezbollah or Israeli military might is limited. Shehadeh suggests that the LAF should focus on documenting ground changes and coordinating with international partners to prevent a lasting Israeli presence.
For Hezbollah, losing these highlands would signal a significant strategic defeat, underscoring Israel’s capability to hold key positions even after agreements. Shehadeh identifies three objectives behind Israel’s focus on Ali al-Taher: military control over observation points, establishing geographic chains of elevated positions, and potentially creating a de facto occupation without formal declaration.
As Israeli forces continue operations beyond mere defense of their positions, Lebanese concerns about a long-term Israeli presence on strategic heights appear justified. “This is what makes the battle for Ali al-Taher directly connected to the future of the Lebanese border, and not merely to the future of Hezbollah,” Shehadeh concluded.
