Israeli troops have crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon this week, a military source informed Xenix News, violating an important border as the tenuous ceasefire faces rising dangers of failure.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that soldiers from the Golani Brigade were active in the “Litani area” to “gain operational control in the region.” The IDF stated it was located south of what it refers to as the forward defense line, which is the unofficial boundary of the area captured by Israel during the conflict.
However, on Wednesday, the military official admitted that the troops had indeed crossed the river. In the course of the operation, the IDF reported that it had hit over 100 military objectives amid the continuing conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.
In late March, Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the IDF would manage the whole area “up to the Litani” as it aimed to establish a security zone for northern Israel. This week’s river crossing seems to signify the first occasion Israeli forces have ventured outside that area, advancing further into Lebanon.
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