Beirut, Aug 21. (dpa/GNA) — Israeli warplanes carried out a series of airstrikes in the Nabatieh area of southern Lebanon in the early hours of Friday, targeting the vicinity of the strategic Ali al-Taher heights, Lebanese security sources said.
The strikes were accompanied by Israeli artillery shelling of areas around Ali al-Taher, while explosions were also reported elsewhere in southern Lebanon. Lebanese state media reported that Israeli aircraft targeted Ali al-Taher and areas around al-Dabsha and Dohat Kfar Rumman.
The Israeli military described the actions as “routine strikes.” The latest strikes come amid heightened tensions around Ali al-Taher, an area that has become a major flashpoint between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia.
Israel has said its military operations in the area, are aimed at Hezbollah positions, and has accused the group of attacking Israeli forces there.
A Hezbollah source told dpa that the group would not hand over control of Ali al-Taher, stressing that the area remained a key point of resistance. “We will not hand Ali al-Taher to anyone,” the source said.
An underground Hezbollah tunnel system is reportedly located in Ali Taher hill, where dozens of fighters are said to have entrenched themselves.
Despite the ceasefire, the Israeli military remains stationed in southern Lebanon, and continues to carry out attacks almost daily.
GNA