Netanyahu Announces Expansion of Operations in Lebanon

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalated his rhetoric against Hezbollah, announcing that the party "will soon not have the ability to threaten northern Israel." He confirmed in a video statement today, Sunday, that he has issued orders to deepen the Israeli army's presence in what he described as "Hezbollah strongholds" north of the Litani River.

Netanyahu stated that the Israeli army killed about 700 members of Hezbollah in the past month, considering that the ongoing military operations have significantly weakened the party's capabilities.

He also regarded the capture of the Shqif Fortress as a "decisive turning point" in the assault on Lebanon, asserting that Israel will continue to target the military infrastructure and field leadership of the party until "the threats against northern Israel are eliminated."

He emphasized that the "current campaign aims to permanently change the security reality on the borders."

One of the Fiercest Escalation Waves

At the same time, the Lebanese front witnessed one of the fiercest waves of escalation since the beginning of the war, with the expansion of Israeli ground operations into areas north of the Litani River and the continuation of intense airstrikes on the south and Beqaa Valley.

The Israeli army had announced earlier today that it targeted command posts belonging to Hezbollah in the city of Tyre, and it released footage it claimed showed its forces crossing the Litani River, an action considered by observers as an indication of moving military operations into a deeper phase inside Lebanese territories.