In military language, when a town "falls," it means that it is no longer a place where people can live safely. The latest town declared fallen in the South Lebanon war is Ali al-Taher. Since the fighting began, it has been referred to by several names and descriptions, including the facility, the center, and the command post. Whatever the case, its fall after a long resistance represents a change in the broader battle map between Hezbollah and Israel.
The South has lost its major and symbolic towns after fierce battles, including Bint Jbeil, Khiam, and others. The Israelis have burned away the fertility of life and destroyed its landmarks to make clear that this is not a passing war, but a war for survival. If we add up all the battles so far, it becomes clear that they amount to a full-scale invasion. The most important question is where we go from here. Where will Hezbollah's fighters go? And what will Israel's next move be now that the South is filled with its people as refugees and displaced persons?
There are still two cities resisting beneath the rubble: Tyre and Nabatieh. Symbols of beautiful life and bitter living. For half a century, the South has been abandoned or emptied of its people, while its residents have carried their homes on their backs. But this time, the Israelis are adopting barbaric policies with long-term consequences in the Arab-Israeli conflict.
The most important question now is: where will Israel stop in this military spectacle between earth and sky? And will Netanyahu fight his election here, or his war? And what about the American president, who has entered the labyrinths and pitfalls of power, forgetting where he left his safety belt?
It is clear that there is one power capable of dismantling this global storm and steering the world back toward calm. Otherwise, we will move from the war of the hills to the war of the mountains.
