Israel has completed preparations for a military operation to take control of the strategic Ali Taher Ridge in southern Lebanon, where Hezbollah terrorists are reportedly trapped inside an underground complex, and is waiting for approval from Washington to move forward, according to Lebanese media reports.

A senior security official told Al-Joumhouria that messages received by relevant officials in Beirut indicate Israel is at a high level of readiness for a battle over the ridge and is awaiting a signal from the United States.

According to the official, Washington informed Lebanese authorities that it would not be able to completely prevent an Israeli operation, but asked Israel to carry out any move in a precise and limited manner, while minimizing harm to civilians and avoiding damage to the framework agreement intended to regulate the situation in southern Lebanon.

The official added that Israel views taking control of the ridge as an achievement it needs and is unlikely to give up. Authorities in Beirut are now closely watching Hezbollah’s response and whether the terror group chooses to enter a broader confrontation, which could renew the fighting and expand damage to villages across southern Lebanon.

At the same time, Al-Akhbar reported that American officials have not ruled out the possibility of rapid Israeli operations in southern Lebanon aimed at reaching sensitive Hezbollah sites in the Ali Taher Ridge area. Israel reportedly claims that a major Hezbollah command center is located there.

The siege of the tunnel system beneath the ridge is continuing. According to reports, dozens of Hezbollah terrorists remain underground while Israeli forces are working to prevent them from escaping or receiving reinforcements. Lebanese reports cited in Israeli media claimed that water supply lines had been cut and that Hezbollah attempted to deliver supplies to its operatives using drones.

The ridge has also become a central issue in diplomatic negotiations. According to Asharq Al-Awsat, Israel is conditioning continued implementation of the ceasefire on Hezbollah withdrawing from the Ali Taher Ridge and transferring the area to the Lebanese Army. A source involved in the talks described clearing the ridge as a key condition for continued implementation of the framework agreement.

The issue is expected to be high on the agenda during the next round of Israel-Lebanon talks in Rome, planned for early September. Lebanese officials also believe developments on the ground are unfolding against the backdrop of a possible U.S.-Iran agreement, which could directly affect the future of the campaign in southern Lebanon.

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