Hezbollah claims hitting Israeli vehicles, repelling advance near Tibnah

According to reports from the Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Manar network and official statements released by the group, the "Islamic Resistance" has engaged in intense confrontations with Israeli ground forces near the Nabatieh district. Hezbollah claims to have fired successive rocket barrages and deployed explosive drones, including "Ababil" models, against IDF troop concentrations on the outskirts of Tibnah.

Claims of Tactical Resistance

In a special statement, Hezbollah explicitly denied the IDF's control over the Ali al-Taher ridge, a strategic height overlooking the region. The group asserted that for four days, Israeli forces have attempted to advance from several axes under heavy artillery cover and aerial surveillance. Hezbollah claimed that at 01:50 on Thursday, its fighters achieved a "direct and confirmed hit" on a Merkava tank, forcing a withdrawal of the immediate force. These claims are framed by the group as a defense against incursions from the direction of Arnoun.

Israeli Operational Context

While the IDF has not publicly confirmed the specific losses or tactical setbacks claimed by Hezbollah, the military has previously indicated operational activity in the sector. Reports from Lebanese sources describe heavy Israeli artillery fire, including the use of phosphorus and illumination shells, targeting the Ali al-Taher ridge area to support ground maneuvers. This activity follows the publication of an IDF spokesperson's map which included the strategic ridge within areas of Israeli operational control—a depiction Hezbollah is now actively attempting to contest through its information channels.

Analysis and Outlook

The conflicting accounts regarding control of the Ali al-Taher ridge highlight the ongoing volatility in southern Lebanon despite diplomatic pressures. Hezbollah’s detailed reports of specific engagement times and weapon types are a hallmark of its propaganda efforts to project resilience. For Israel, the securing of high-ground positions like Ali al-Taher is critical for maintaining the security zone and neutralizing launch sites. The situation remains developing, with the true extent of control on the ground likely obscured by the fog of active kinetic engagement.