Kathmandu— Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz claimed this week that Israeli forces had established operational control over the strategically vital Ali al-Taher ridge in southern Lebanon, after an extended operation against Hezbollah positions. The claim comes amid ongoing tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, which have been fighting since October 2023. Hezbollah has yet to formally comment on the Israeli claims, raising questions about the extent of Israel's control and the potential geopolitical implications.

Israeli Claims and Military Operations

In a statement on Friday, Defence Minister Israel Katz asserted that Israeli forces had driven Hezbollah fighters out of a network of tunnels under the contested highland, 15km from the border. The Israeli military has been working to embed its occupation of southern Lebanon since the latest escalation, when it announced the creation of a “security” or “buffer” zone. This zone has been responsible for the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Lebanese and has involved the deliberate destruction of civilian infrastructure, potentially a war crime.

Hezbollah's Silence and Iranian Concerns

Hezbollah’s lack of response raises questions about the extent of Israel’s military control over the ridge and the infrastructure contained within it. Analysts suggest that a lack of a response from Tehran may frustrate Netanyahu, who has invested much of his electoral stock in finishing the war with Iran, an opponent he has long characterised as posing an existential threat to the country.

Geopolitical Implications and Analyst Perspectives

The Israeli ‘operational control’ over the ridge is no doubt a tactical, even strategic, gain, enabling Israel a better control over southern Lebanon, according to Ahron Bregman, an Israeli security analyst. He noted that from an Israeli perspective, it is a way to put pressure on the Lebanese government: Tackle Hezbollah head-on, or we stay here. Nicholas Blanford, an authority on Hezbollah, said that the group’s lack of comment on the Israeli claims raises a number of questions. He noted that neither the extent of Israel’s military control over the ridge, nor the infrastructure contained within it, is known.

The current status is that Israel continues to assert control over the Ali al-Taher ridge, while Hezbollah has not yet commented. The geopolitical implications of this control, especially in the context of upcoming Israeli elections, remain uncertain.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

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Originally published on abcnews.com.np.