Israel claims to have seized southern Lebanon’s Ali al-Taher ridge, which is reportedly a strategic position for Hezbollah, AFP reports.

Hezbollah has not confirmed losing the highland, which is around 10 kilometres from the border with Israel and has been targeted by several Israeli strikes in recent weeks despite a ceasefire.

The ridge lies close to the major city of Nabatieh and the Litani River. It is just a few kilometres from Unesco-listed Beaufort Castle, another strategic site that Israel captured in recent months.

Ali al-Taher ridge, on the edge of the Israeli-proclaimed “security zone”, overlooks surrounding areas and key districts further north, and sits atop a network of tunnels.