DUBAI: Israeli media has reported that the Israeli army has conducted a military operation - lasting approximately a week - north of the Litani River in southern Lebanon, and that its forces have reached the outskirts of the town of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, about 10 kilometers from the Israeli border.
“In an operation that lasted about a week, forces from the Egoz Unit and the Golani Brigade’s reconnaissance company crossed north of the Litani River and operated on the outskirts of the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, around 10 kilometers from Israeli territory,” Israeli army radio said.
Israel confirmed it has suffered casualties, with several soldiers injured in the fighting.
Israeli media reported that in one incident, Hezbollah fighters emerged from a tunnel opening north of the Litani river, leading to direct clashes with Israeli forces.
Israeli Channel 14 indicated that the army carried out operations over the Litani River to allow for future crossings of armored and infantry forces towards areas from which Hezbollah had launched rockets and drones.
The Israeli military said it had hit more than 100 targets in over a week.
Israel has intensified its attacks in south Lebanon as it trades fire with Iran-backed Hezbollah despite an April 17 ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon that aimed to halt the 0fighting.
More than 2,800 people have been killed in Lebanon since Israel began its fight against Hezbollah on March 2 as part of it wider Middle East offensive, according to health authorities.
The Israeli military has continued to order forced evacuations of people living south of the Litani River to head north since March 4.
