The campaign in Lebanon is escalating: The Israel Defense Forces announced Sunday that it had launched a broad operation in southern Lebanon, including ground activity on the Beaufort ridge and in Wadi Saluki, alongside extensive airstrikes. As part of the operation, the forces crossed the Litani River and are working to strike Hezbollah infrastructure built in the area.
The operation involves forces from the Golani Brigade, Givati Brigade, 7th Brigade, Fire Brigade and the Multidimensional Unit, operating under the 36th Division and with guidance from the Intelligence Directorate. The operation was approved by the IDF chief of staff, and after preliminary operational preparations, including extensive airstrikes, the forces began offensive activity to expand the forward defensive line.
According to the IDF, the main operation is focused on gaining control of the Beaufort ridge and the Wadi Saluki area, which in recent years were considered major Hezbollah activity hubs. The military says terrorist infrastructure was built in the area under Iranian guidance, from which operations against Israel were directed and various attack plans were prepared.
The IDF confirmed that as part of the operation, forces crossed the Litani River and expanded the strikes to areas north of the river as well. At the same time, the Israeli Air Force carried out massive strikes against Hezbollah targets, alongside artillery fire and tank operations that provided a fire envelope for the maneuvering forces.
The military also said the forces were operating against launch infrastructure from which hundreds of launches had been carried out over the years toward northern Israeli communities and IDF troops. The forces are also conducting searches, neutralizing military infrastructure and carrying out engineering work in the Litani area.
The IDF stressed that the activity is also taking place near the city of Nabatiyeh, considered one of Hezbollah's main power centers in southern Lebanon, and that the military is prepared to expand the offensive to additional areas depending on developments on the ground.
According to the IDF, the current operation joins a series of offensive actions carried out in recent weeks against Hezbollah as part of the ongoing effort to damage the organization's capabilities and push the threat away from Israel's northern border.
