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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Friday that Israeli forces have crossed Lebanon's Litani River and are advancing toward strategic positions. Operations are simultaneously underway in Beirut and the Beqaa Valley.
Speaking during a visit to the Israeli army's 36th Division on the northern border, along with Defense Minister Israel Katz and Israeli army Deputy Chief-of-Staff Maj.-Gen. Tamir Yadai, Netanyahu said troops from the Israeli army's 36th Division had crossed the river and moved forward into commanding terrain.
Netanyahu and Katz were briefed by the head of the Israeli army's Northern Command, Maj.-Gen. Rafi Milo and Israeli army 36th Division Commander Brig.-Gen. Yiftach Norkin on the Israeli army's operations in Lebanon and held a discussion with the brigade commanders in the field.
"Our forces have crossed the Litani; they have advanced to controlling positions. We are operating in Beirut, in the Beqaa, across the entire width of the front, and we are dealing Hezbollah a crushing blow," Netanyahu noted.
"When I say this, it is no empty statement. The brigade commanders tell me, as do the soldiers, that in every contact with them, in every encounter, we are both eliminating Hezbollah and causing them to flee," he added.
Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon despite a ceasefire that took effect on April 17 and was extended for 45 days beginning May 17 following indirect talks mediated by the United States.
According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 have killed 3,324 people across the country.
The escalation comes after Netanyahu said on May 25 that he had instructed the military to intensify operations in Lebanon.
Hezbollah has continued to launch attacks against Israeli forces, saying it is responding to Israeli violations of the ceasefire agreement.
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