Report: Lebanon told that Israel is readying to occupy Ali al-Taher

Messages have reached relevant parties in Lebanon indicating that Israel is preparing to launch an offensive to occupy the Ali al-Taher hills and is on high alert, awaiting a signal from the United States, a senior security official said.

This official told al-Joumhouriya newspaper that the U.S. informed Lebanese authorities that it would not be able to completely prevent the Israeli operation, but requested that it be a precise, surgical operation with minimal explosions and terrorization of civilians, and in a manner that does not undermine the framework agreement.

"The Israelis need this achievement and will not back down from it," the official added, noting that "all eyes are on Hezbollah's reaction: will it engage in a full-scale battle or deal with the matter in a way that does not give the enemy a pretext to launch a large-scale offensive and displace residents from villages and towns again?"

The source concluded that "this battle has become a matter of time, and is racing against the imminent Iranian-American agreement, which will undoubtedly have a direct impact on the southern front."