This picture taken from the southern Lebanese village of Zawtar Gharbieh shows Israeli military humvees stationed between houses in the nearby village of Zawtar Sharqieh on Aug. 13, 2026. (Credit: Ammar Ammar/AFP)
Lebanon is moving at two different paces and levels: one is the effort to save the ongoing negotiations and discussions related to implementing the “pilot zone” model, and the other is the battle over Ali Taher. While Israel insists on launching the operation, informed sources indicate that the United States is putting pressure on Israel to dissuade it, aiming to save the negotiations and prevent the collapse of the "cease-fire." The launch of the battle for this strategic hill indeed raises fears of a slide into a large-scale confrontation and the resumption of war. Read more 7 killed in Israeli dawn strike on Ansar, deadliest attack since June's cease-fire U.S. efforts are therefore continuing to avoid this battle, or at least to prevent it from breaking out before the eighth round of negotiations scheduled in Rome. But...
Lebanon is moving at two different paces and levels: one is the effort to save the ongoing negotiations and discussions related to implementing the “pilot zone” model, and the other is the battle over Ali Taher. While Israel insists on launching the operation, informed sources indicate that the United States is putting pressure on Israel to dissuade it, aiming to save the negotiations and prevent the collapse of the "cease-fire." The launch of the battle for this strategic hill indeed raises fears of a slide into a large-scale confrontation and the resumption of war. Read more 7 killed in Israeli dawn strike on Ansar, deadliest attack since June's cease-fire U.S. efforts are therefore continuing to avoid this battle, or at least to prevent it from breaking out before the eighth round of negotiations scheduled in Rome....
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