Why might the tents become the 'mother of battles' in southern Lebanon?
Key Takeaways
- Israeli border buildup intensifies near Khiam in southern Lebanon.
- Analysts say Khiam could become axis of the next ground battle.
- Retired Brig. Gen. Bahaa Halal calls Khiam a geographic key to the border.
Khiam's strategic significance
Eyes turn to the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon as Israeli military buildup along the border intensifies, at a time when analysts say it could become the axis of the next ground battle due to its geographic and military importance and the implications of controlling it.
“Eyes turn to the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon as Israeli military buildup along the border intensifies, at a time when analysts say it could become the axis of the next ground battle due to its geographic and military importance and the implications of controlling it”
Military expert, retired Brig. Gen. Bahaa Halal, says Khiam represents a 'geographic key' to the border region, given its proximity to the border and its elevation which allows oversight and monitoring.
Halal, in an interview with Al Jazeera, notes that its location allows control of the Marjayoun Plain and the Hasbani valley leading to the Litani River, in addition to the vital road linking Marjayoun, Nabatieh, and Hasbaya, giving it high operational value.
In this context, Al Jazeera's correspondent reported Israeli warplanes launched two airstrikes on the town of Khiam and an airstrike on the Wadi al-Hajar area in southern Lebanon.
According to Halal, gaining control of Khiam could permit establishing a buffer zone as it was before 2000, whether along the Marjayoun Plain border or even the Litani River.
It could also be used as a military drop-off point or a monitoring platform for artillery and drones, as well as its ability to sever communication between southern villages by separating the eastern and western axes.
On the ground, the military expert notes that Israel has massed six military divisions along the border, including well-known ones such as the 210th and 91st Divisions and the 146th Division, in addition to reserve forces.
But what is notable, according to Halal, is the deployment of units with an offensive character, such as Division 162 which includes infantry and armor, and the 36th Armored Division in the northern sector, as well as the 98th Division, which includes the commando forces comprising units such as Egoz, Maglan, and the covert forces.
Halal believes this buildup gives Israeli movements an offensive character, noting that the main assault has not yet begun.
He suggested that the current movements may be part of 'fire reconnaissance' to test the size of responses, while seeking to establish advanced positions that could later serve as launch points for a broader military advance.
Massed divisions and offensives
On the ground, the military expert notes that Israel has massed six military divisions along the border, including well-known ones such as the 210th and 91st Divisions and the 146th Division, in addition to reserve forces.
But what is notable, according to Halal, is the deployment of units with an offensive character, such as Division 162 which includes infantry and armor, and the 36th Armored Division in the northern sector, as well as the 98th Division, which includes the commando forces comprising units such as Egoz, Maglan, and the covert forces.
Halal believes this buildup gives Israeli movements an offensive character, noting that the main assault has not yet begun.
He suggested that the current movements may be part of 'fire reconnaissance' to test the size of responses, while seeking to establish advanced positions that could later serve as launch points for a broader military advance.
Political aims and pressures
Politically, Imad Salami, a professor of international relations at the American University of Beirut, links this military buildup to Israeli political messaging, saying that Israel feels it is in a strong position, especially with more than 100,000 soldiers on the northern front, which pushes it not to hurry into negotiations.
“Eyes turn to the town of Khiam in southern Lebanon as Israeli military buildup along the border intensifies, at a time when analysts say it could become the axis of the next ground battle due to its geographic and military importance and the implications of controlling it”
Salami adds in his Al Jazeera interview that Israel may seek to improve its field position, perhaps by controlling Khiam or moving further into Lebanese territory, in order to impose its terms later in any potential negotiations.
By contrast, Salami says the Lebanese state is trying to cope with increasing domestic and international pressures, facing domestic criticisms over its role in controlling security, along with international pressures pushing toward political moves that may delay or limit the Israeli military operation.
He notes that Tel Aviv may seek to change the game entirely, including maritime border agreements and arrangements to stop hostilities, reflecting its effort to capitalize on its current military superiority to shape a new political and security reality on the Lebanese front.
Casualties and escalation timeline
Lebanon has faced a wide Israeli assault since March 2 this year, killing at least 826 people, including 106 children and 65 women, according to the Health Ministry, on Saturday.
This came after Hezbollah targeted Israeli military sites following Washington and Tel Aviv's strike on Iran on February 28, in response to what it described as ongoing Israeli assaults since the ceasefire in November 2024.
