Israel Launches Major Ground Offensive North of Litani River
Military spokeswoman Ella Waweya confirmed on US social media platform X that the operation had begun "several days ago, with large ground forces," and that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River — a boundary whose violation carries acute political and legal weight under prior ceasefire frameworks.
Waweya claimed the move was aimed at "destroying terrorist infrastructure and eliminating militants."
She added that Israeli forces are operating "in the vicinity of (the city of) Nabatieh," which she described as "one of Hezbollah's principal strongholds in southern Lebanon," warning that they are "ready to expand the attack as required."
Israeli forces have "crossed the Litani River and expanded their attacks against Hezbollah north of the river," she claimed, adding that "operations are expanding into additional areas."
Katz Confirms Beaufort Ridge Capture
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz separately took to X to assert that the army "crossed the Litani River and captured the Beaufort Ridge" as part of the broadened offensive — a claim that, if confirmed, would represent a significant territorial advance.
Lebanese authorities had yet to issue an official response to the Israeli announcements at the time of reporting.
On-the-Ground Corroboration
The claims align with intelligence relayed a day earlier: a senior Lebanese military source told Anadolu on Saturday that Israeli forces had pushed into villages north of the Litani River and reached the outskirts of Nabatieh.
A Ceasefire Ceasefire in Collapse
Sunday's offensive announcement deepens what has become a pattern of systematic ceasefire erosion. A truce that came into force on April 17 — subsequently extended for 45 days beginning May 17 following US-mediated indirect negotiations — has failed to halt Israeli military operations on Lebanese soil.
The Lebanese Health Ministry reports that Israeli strikes since March 2 have killed more than 3,370 people across the country, a toll that shows no sign of abating as the offensive enters new territory.
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