AJ
⚡️ Negotiations between Lebanon and Israel, led by the US in Rome, are looking increasingly unlikely, because Beirut is leveraging their attendance against strict ground conditions amid intense fighting, as Israel continue to attempt and fail to take Ali al-Taher Ridge, an alleged key Hezbollah stronghold.
🔹 Lebanon is said to be clinging to US mediation to avoid an Iranian/Hezbollah geopolitical victory, but Beirut is demanding three conditions before entering the next round, including a halt to the bulldozing and demolition of southern Lebanon’s residential areas, a complete ceasefire, and the designation of Bint Jbeil and Khiam as new model pilot zones to extend Lebanese Army sovereignty.
🔹 Delegation head Simon Karam has reiterated his wish to resign, but President Aoun insisted on him remaining in his post, while US Ambassador Michael Issa expressed doubt to Awkar visitors about a September round, stating that negotiations would likely freeze until after Israel’s elections, leaving Lebanon ‘hostage to Netanyahu’s ballot boxes.’
🔹 US General Joseph Clearfield is scheduled to arrive in Beirut on Wednesday to meet Commander General Rudolph Heikel from the LAF, bringing no new proposals or solutions to outstanding issues unresolved in Rome, but will discuss procedures in current pilot zones and reiterate demands for house searches, something that General Heikel had previously rejected, and the Lebanese Judiciary are currently scrambling to find a solution to prevent resulting security tensions.
🔹 Israel’s continuing military activity is raising alarms in official circles, as a security source confirmed Israel had launched unannounced, covert offensive operations to seize Ali al-Taher Hill and its tunnels, and Because Hezbollah’s combat status is reported as ‘dire’ due to severed supply lines because Israel controls points of access, the hill’s fall is considered just a matter of time.
🔹 Lebanon fears open-ended negotiations that would allow Israel to consolidate territory, but while sources rule out a total withdrawal from the US-led track, Beirut warned it would freeze participation if a date is set without US-backed Israeli guarantees, and analysts note US pressure can push for partial withdrawals, however, they cannot create a ‘sovereign reality’ that Lebanon itself currently lacks.
🔹 Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei condemned the attacks by Israel over the past few days, which had resulted in the deaths of a number of Lebanese citizens, as well as the destruction of infrastructure and homes.
🔹 According to Baghaei, the US ruling regime is considered accomplice and partner in all crimes committed by the Israeli regime in Lebanon, the occupied Palestinian territories, and the entire region, due to its all-out support for the occupying regime.
🔹 Baghaei praised the resistance and courageous resilience of the Lebanese people in the face of Israel’s aggression and occupation, emphasizing the full solidarity of the Islamic Republic of Iran with Lebanon in its path of defending the sovereignty, dignity, and independence of Lebanon against the aggression of Israel.
🔹 The statement came after Israeli warplanes and artillery units conducted a series of high-intensity strikes across southern Lebanon overnight, focusing on Al-Mansouri, Mayfadoun, and the Ali al-Taher sector once again, with explosions in Al-Mansouri reported as ‘highly intense.’
🔹 An Israeli UAV reportedly launched three missiles targeting the vicinity of Ali al-Taher Ridge on the Nabatieh outskirts, while simultaneous ‘very violent’ explosions and sustained artillery shelling were reported on the outskirts of Mayfadoun and across the targeted town of Al-Mansouri.
🔹 Tactical reports indicated the escalation in the south is currently concentrated around Ali al-Taher Ridge, where the Israeli military are deploying ground troops to the area, anticipating the emergence of Hezbollah fighters from the various hideouts within the vicinity.
