Beirut, Lebanon – The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported that the Israeli army is preparing to reduce the size of its forces deployed in southern Lebanon in the coming days, following the completion of destroying the tunnel network in the Ali al-Tahir heights, with a move toward redeploying forces to a distance ranging between 3 and 4 kilometers from the Israeli border.
Destruction of Ali al-Tahir Tunnel Network
According to the broadcasting corporation, the Israeli army is preparing to fully destroy the tunnel network located in the Ali al-Tahir heights in the coming days, following military operations conducted in the area. The Ali al-Tahir heights are considered a strategically important site in southern Lebanon, where the Israeli army announced on Friday the completion of operational control and the clearing of tunnels it claimed belonged to Hezbollah.
Redeployment South of Litani
The broadcasting corporation noted that the Israeli army’s plan includes withdrawing from areas including the so-called “Yellow Line,” including positions located north of the Litani River, and transitioning to a new deployment closer to the Israeli border. This comes within a move aimed at downsizing forces deployed inside Lebanese territory while maintaining military positions and deployment in areas Israel considers essential for its border security.
Israeli Action Following Mission Completion
Talk of redeployment comes after Israel announced securing full control over the Ali al-Tahir heights, which served as a primary axis for military operations in southern Lebanon during the recent period. A media report indicated that the Israeli military announced clearing tunnels in the area of Hezbollah personnel, while noting that the situation inside the tunnel network and the extent of Israeli troop penetration was not independently verified.
According to Kan Broadcasting, the anticipated step will redistribute Israeli forces in southern Lebanon instead of maintaining their current deployment, coinciding with finalizing the destruction of installations and tunnels in the Ali al-Tahir heights.
