Israeli military pushes deeper into Lebanon past Litani River

The Israeli military has constructed bridges over Lebanon's Litani River and opened new supply routes to facilitate a deeper ground advance into the country's interior, according to Hebrew media reports published Saturday.

Operations across the Litani

Public broadcaster KAN reported that the military is attempting to widen its activities beyond the river, which serves as a key geographic landmark in southern Lebanon. The network said troops attempted to cross the Litani two months ago but halted the operation after encountering resistance and ambushes. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated Friday that Israeli forces had crossed the river and advanced to what he described as "positions of control."

Northern Lebanon incursions

A Lebanese military source told Anadolu on Saturday that Israeli forces have reached areas north of the Litani, including the towns of Zawtar al-Sharqiya and Shaqif Arnoun, approaching the outskirts of Nabatieh. Since March 2, Israel has carried out a large-scale military campaign in Lebanon that has killed 3,371 people and injured 10,129, according to official Lebanese figures. More than 1 million people have been displaced by the conflict.

Ceasefire under strain

The advance comes as Hezbollah has expanded attacks toward northern Israel in response to what it described as daily Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement that took effect April 17 and has been extended until early July. Israeli forces have continued airstrikes, ground incursions and demolition operations in southern Lebanon despite the truce.