Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, May 30: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon and are carrying out operations in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley, describing the advance as a “tactical victory” against Hezbollah.

Speaking during a visit to Israeli troops near the northern border, Netanyahu said Israeli forces had moved beyond the Litani River and captured strategic positions while expanding military operations across multiple fronts in Lebanon. He claimed the campaign was delivering a major blow to Hezbollah’s capabilities.

The Litani River, located around 30 kilometres north of the Israel-Lebanon border, has long been regarded as a key strategic line in southern Lebanon. Israeli military movements beyond the river mark a significant escalation in the conflict despite an existing ceasefire arrangement that came into effect in April.

Netanyahu’s remarks came shortly after he announced that the Israeli military had been directed to take control of 70 per cent of the Gaza Strip as part of ongoing operations against Hamas.

Meanwhile, fighting between Israel and Hezbollah has intensified in recent days, with Israeli airstrikes targeting locations in southern Lebanon, Beirut and the Bekaa Valley, while Hezbollah has continued launching drone and rocket attacks on Israeli positions.

According to reports, Israeli ground forces have conducted deeper incursions into southern Lebanon, prompting fresh displacement of civilians and raising concerns over the stability of the ceasefire. More than one million people have reportedly been displaced in Lebanon since the conflict escalated earlier this year.

At the same time, diplomatic efforts are continuing, with US-mediated talks involving Israeli and Lebanese officials underway in Washington in an attempt to strengthen ceasefire arrangements and prevent a broader regional escalation.