The Lebanese army vacated its base in Kfar Tebnit on Saturday following an advance by Israeli forces. This retreat coincided with Israeli evacuation orders for the city of Nabatiyeh and surrounding villages.

The Withdrawal from Kfar Tebnit Barracks

The Lebanese army abandoned its military installation in the village of Kfar Tebnit on Saturday, according to a senior military official cited in the report. This move came as the Israeli military issued urgent evacuation warnings for approximately 20 locations, including the southern city of Nabatiyeh. The retreat suggests a tactical decision by the Lebanese state forces to avoid diret confrontation as Israeli troops pushed deeper into the region.

As the report says, the National News Agency of Lebanon also confirmed that air strikes hit several villages near Nabatiyeh on Saturday, resulting in at least two deaths in Deir al-Zahrani. These strikes, combined with artillery shelling in Nabatiyeh, underscore the intensity of the current Israeli offensive.

The Battle for Ali Taher Hill and Nabatiyeh

Israeli forces are believed to be targeting the strategic Ali Taher Hill,which sits on the edge of Kfar Tebnit. This specific geographic feature is critical because it overlooks large portions of Nabatiyeh and the primary roads connecting the city to its neighboring villages. Control of this height provides a significant tactical advantage for any force operating in southern Lebanon.

The struggle for Ali Taher Hill echoes a long history of conflict in the region. Israeli troops previously occupied this specific hill for 18 years, only withdrawing from Lebanon in May 2000. The current push indicates a return to strategic priorities established decades ago.

A US-Iran Deal to End the War on All Fronts

Diplomatic signals suggest a potential resolution is being brokered behind the scenes.. Pakistan's prime minister recently stated that the United States and Iran have agreed upon the wording of an agreement intended to stop the Middle East war . This diplomatic effort is being mirrored by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi , who told Iranian state TV that both nations are working toward an initial agreement to end hostilities on all fronts, including the conflict in Lebanon.

Hussein Hajj Hassan, a senior official with Hezbollah, confirmed to Al Jazeera TV that Iranian officials have informed the group that Lebanon will be included in a future ceasefire deal between the U.S. and Iran. Given that Iran provides billions of dollars and various weapon systems to Hezbollah, any agreement between Tehran and Washington is likely the only viable path to a lasting peace.

3,700 Lebanese Deaths and the Failed April 17 Ceasefire

The human cost of the conflict has been severe since the war began on March 2. According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, more than 3,700 people have been killed in Lebanon. On the Israeli side, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reports that 30 Israeli soldiers and one defence contractor have died in or near southern Lebanon, while two civilians were killed in northern Israel.

These casualties have mounted despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17. While that agreement was intended to last for one month, fighting has persisted. The report notes that Hezbollah was not a party to the April 17 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which explains why rocket and drone attacks from the group have continued unabated.

The Silence of the Lebanese Army Command

While a senior military official spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity, the official Lebanese army command has not provided a public strategic justification for the retreat from Kfar Tebnit. It remains unclear whether this withdrawal is part of a broader coordinated shift or a reactive move to avoid casualties.

Furthermore, the report does not clarify the current status of the Lebanese government's communication with the Israeli military regarding the evacuation of the 20 locations mentioned. Whether the Lebanese army is facilitating these evacuations or simply stepping aside remains a critical unknown.