Hezbollah: Won't Cede Ali al-Taher, But Open to 'Compromise'

A senior Hezbollah representative said the group will not relinquish control of the Ali al-Taher ridge to Israel, the Lebanese Army, or any other party, warning that surrendering the position would only encourage further Israeli territorial seizure. "The enemy could take the hill, but only through a battle, because the culture of surrender and capitulation is not part of the resistance's culture," the source said. Hezbollah cited UN Security Council Resolution 1701, noting the ridge lies north of the Litani River where the resolution does not require disarmament. The source nonetheless signaled openness to a negotiated settlement contingent on Israel halting hostilities and withdrawing from Lebanese territory — a sign the dispute over the ridge, now a central sticking point in the US-brokered talks, remained unresolved.