The Israeli military said Friday that its forces had withdrawn from the Ali al-Taher Heights in southern Lebanon and moved to rear positions in the Shqif area following a military operation in the region.
The military said the heights would remain under what it called “fire control,” warning that it would act against any attempt by Hezbollah to return to the area or establish new positions there.
The move followed a large explosion carried out by Israeli forces at the heights. Israel said the blast targeted Hezbollah infrastructure and a tunnel network extending for more than two kilometers.
The explosion was reportedly heard across wide areas of Nabatieh Governorate, while Lebanon’s National Geophysical Center detected ground waves associated with the blast.
The Ali al-Taher Heights, located between Kfar Tibnit and Nabatieh al-Fawqa north of the Litani River, rise to around 600 meters above sea level and hold strategic military importance because of their commanding view over large parts of southern Lebanon.
The development comes amid continued efforts over security arrangements in southern Lebanon, as Israel shifts from maintaining a direct presence on the heights to relying on surveillance and firepower to prevent Hezbollah from returning to the area.
