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Dismantling the Hezbollah Infrastructure at the Ali Taher Ridge to Advance the Ceasefire Agreement

The Ali al-Taher Ridge, which lies north of the Litani River, is strategically important because it commands the al-Nabatiyeh area and is located on the route connecting south Lebanon with the coastal area and the western Beqa'a Valley. According to assessments in Israel and Lebanon, it conceals a major Hezbollah headquarters with a network of tunnels which apparently house dozens of the organization’s operatives and store advanced weapons, and Iranian officers and operatives may also be present; Since June 2026, IDF activity has focused on gaining full control of the ridge, which lies within the Israeli security zone in south Lebanon, by eliminating terrorists and destroying infrastructure; To stop the Israeli attacks and advance the June 2026 framework agreement, Lebanese President Aoun proposed evacuating Hezbollah terrorists from the Ali al-Taher Ridge and deploying Lebanese army forces. The initiative was supported by the United States and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, the leader of Amal and Hezbollah’s ally, but the Lebanese army had reservations; Hezbollah made it clear that it had no intention of voluntarily withdrawing from the Ali al-Taher Ridge and was "resisting" the IDF to prevent it from taking control of the area, adding that accepting President Aoun’s proposal would lead Israel to demand the evacuation of other important "resistance" sites.
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Hezbollah in the Pilot Zones Disguised as Civilian Organizations

In June 2026, a framework agreement was signed between Israel and Lebanon under American auspices. Its objective was to regulate the withdrawal of the IDF from the areas it had taken control of during the latest hostilities with Hezbollah and to transfer responsibility for them to the Lebanese authorities. The agreement established pilot zones to examine the parties’ compliance with the understandings and the Lebanese army’s ability to dismantle Hezbollah’s infrastructure and prevent the organization from returning to the area;  Now, two months after the agreement was signed, it is apparent that the Lebanese army finds it difficult to meet the security requirements stipulated by the agreement, while organizations subordinate to or affiliated with Hezbollah are highly active on the ground, providing cover for its military-terrorist activity and enabling it to keep a foothold and presence in these areas;  The two most prominent organizations are the Islamic Health Organization, which is subordinate to Hezbollah’s Executive Council, and the Wa Ta’awanu Association, which promotes aid projects and the reconstruction of civilian infrastructure; In Amit Institute assessment, the activity of the organizations in the pilot zone contradicts the framework agreement and exposes the difficulty and complexity faced by the Lebanese government in taking action against the presence of Hezbollah and its various civilian arms in south Lebanon. Compounding the problem are legal difficulties and the Lebanese army’s lack of legal authority to search privately owned civilian properties, despite Hezbollah’s use of those properties as cover for its military-terrorist activity.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (August 19 – 26, 2026)

The Qods Force Commander issued two statements in support of the Palestinians;  Iran is working to reinforce the presence of commanders and fighters affiliated with the IRGC in southern Lebanon to assist Hezbollah; The Iranian Parliament Speaker visited Baghdad and met with senior Iraqi government officials; The Houthi military spokesman stated that the Houthis had established three equations in the confrontation with Saudi Arabia: “blockade for blockade”; attacks on all concentrations of Saudi troops and their allies in Yemen; and a response to every Saudi incursion into Yemeni territory; The Islamic Resistance Front in Syria – Possessors of Might, responding to a statement by one of the Druze leaders in Syria, said that collaborators with Israel are now legitimate targets for the organization.
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Spotlight on Terrorism Hezbollah and Lebanon (August 17 –24, 2026)

Contacts to expand the pilot zones continue, but the dispute over the verification mechanism, the lack of progress in the Israeli withdrawal and the demand for measures against Hezbollah infrastructure prevent transitioning to the next phase;   Hezbollah opposes the transfer of control of the Ali al-Taher Ridge to the Lebanese army and claims it will take action against an Israeli attempt to expand its control in the area; The United States is looking for a diplomatic way to end the dispute over the Ridge, with control of the area transferred to the Lebanese army and guarantees that Israel would not demand control of the area again; Transfer of Amal's weapons to the Lebanese army from south of the Litani was reported;  The United States is increasing diplomatic, security and financial pressure on Hezbollah while linking support for Lebanon and its army to concrete measures against Hezbollah’s military-terrorist and financial infrastructures;  Lebanon tightened supervision at the border crossings due to concerns about the entry of Iranians and reported that the visa of the Iranian chargé d’affaires would not be renewed;  Preparations for the end of UNIFIL’s mandate in Lebanon continue, along with a search for an alternative mechanism; The civilian situation in south Lebanon prevents a return to normal routine, and approximately 268,000 people still displaced.
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Spotlight on Iran and the Shiite Axis (August 12 – 19, 2026)

Amid Iran’s hardening position toward the United States, senior Iranian officials and media outlets emphasize that Tehran views a ceasefire in the Palestinian and Lebanese arenas as an additional condition for a possible arrangement with the United States and for reopening the Strait of Hormuz; The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman condemned the IDF strikes in southern Lebanon; It was reported that Iran had warned the Syrian government against the entry of Syrian military forces into Lebanese territory to take action against Hezbollah; The Qods Force commander warned the pro-Iranian Shiite militias during his visit to Baghdad against handing over their weapons to the Iraqi government; The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran visited Baghdad and met with senior Iraqi government officials; Houthi attacks against Saudi targets continue. Houthi military sources confirmed that attacks were also carried out inside Saudi Arabia, but the Houthis did not claim responsibility for the attacks, nor was there any confirmation from Saudi or Arab sources.
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Spotlight on Terrorism Hezbollah and Lebanon (Aug 10 – 17, 2026)

A Hezbollah explosive drone struck an IDF force operating in the area of the Ali al-Taher ridge, critically wounding three IDF soldiers. In response, the IDF struck Hezbollah targets, including north of the Litani River; The United States continues its efforts to preserve the Israeli-Lebanese negotiation track and promote an international oversight mechanism. Despite mounting frustration in Beirut, President Joseph Aoun continues to present the diplomatic path as a strategic choice; however, the Lebanese leadership is demanding tangible gains to help rally domestic support; Disputes within the internal Lebanese arena regarding Hezbollah’s disarmament and negotiations with Israel have sharply escalated. Hezbollah and its leadership continue to oppose disarming the group and call for halting talks with Israel, whereas the organization's opponents insist on disarmament as a prerequisite for restoring sovereignty and advancing an agreement with Israel; Hezbollah is working to maintain and restore its room for maneuver across both the domestic and regional arenas amid the military and political pressure exerted on it. This includes renewing dialogue channels with President Aoun, tactical overtures to the Free Patriotic Movement, and efforts to establish a channel of communication with the new Syrian leadership; In southern Lebanon, difficulties persist regarding the return of residents and the reconstruction of damaged communities. Even in Zawtar al-Gharbiyeh - the first 'pilot zone' where the Lebanese Army deployed - extensive destruction, a shortage of essential services, and continued Israeli activity illustrate that the transfer of security control to the state has not yet translated into a full return to normalcy.
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