Netanyahu escalates: Israeli forces cross Litani River into Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon, marking a significant escalation in the country’s military operations despite an existing US-brokered ceasefire set to expire in early July. Netanyahu announced the advance on Thursday, stating that troops are now operating beyond previously declared boundaries to dismantle Hezbollah’s drone capabilities following recent attacks on Beirut and Tyre. The Litani River serves as the northern limit of a UN-monitored security zone in southern Lebanon, and its crossing signals a deliberate expansion of Israel’s ground offensive in the region.
The move comes as Netanyahu simultaneously directs the military to extend control over 70% of the Gaza Strip, up from the current 60%, according to statements reported by Israeli media. The expansion in Gaza, framed as a push westward from a US-established separation line, has drawn sharp condemnation from the United Nations. A UN spokesperson on Friday rejected Netanyahu’s order, insisting that the entire territory must remain under Palestinian control and demanding an immediate Israeli withdrawal from the so-called "yellow line."
In Lebanon, Israeli forces have reportedly seized strategic areas, with Netanyahu emphasizing that the offensive will continue despite persistent ceasefire violations. The advance follows weeks of clashes between Israel and Hezbollah, which has been designated a banned paramilitary organization by the Lebanese government since March 2026. While the US-brokered truce nominally remains in place, both sides have accused each other of breaching its terms, with Hezbollah’s drone strikes and Israel’s deepening incursions fueling fears of a broader regional conflict.
Netanyahu has also framed the escalation in geopolitical terms, suggesting that Israel could emerge as an alternative energy transit route to the Mediterranean amid rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Speaking on Thursday, he declined to specify potential partner countries or infrastructure plans but positioned the proposal as a strategic opportunity for Israel to bypass regional instability. The remarks coincide with Israel’s military push in Lebanon, where control over key terrain could bolster its leverage in future energy negotiations.
The developments underscore Netanyahu’s dual-track strategy: consolidating territorial gains in Gaza while intensifying pressure on Hezbollah in Lebanon. With the ceasefire’s expiration looming and diplomatic efforts stalled, the coming weeks may test whether military escalation or renewed negotiations will define the next phase of the conflict.
Netanyahu escalates: Israeli forces cross Litani River into Lebanon
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Articles
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yenisafak · 8 days ago
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yenisafak · 8 days ago
Netanyahu confirms Israeli forces crossed Litani River in Lebanon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed Thursday that his forces have crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon, expanding operations beyond previously declared boundaries as he vowed to eliminate Hezbollahs drone capabilities following attacks on Beirut and Tyre.
yenisafak · 8 days ago
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yenisafak · 8 days ago
UN says all of Gaza must be for Palestinians after Netanyahu occupation order The United Nations on Friday rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus order to expand military occupation to 70 of the Gaza Strip, insisting that the entire Palestinian territory must remain for Palestinians and calling on Tel Aviv to withdraw from the so-called yellow line immediately.
yenisafak · 8 days ago
Israeli troops push deeper into Lebanon, crossing the Litani river, as talks expected In Lebanon, Israeli forces have advanced further north. Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu says they have crossed the Litani river - a key reference point in Southern Lebanon marking the limit of a UN-monitored zone. Despite a ceasefire, Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants have continued to fight for weeks. Details by FRANCE 24 correspondent in Beirut, Renée Davis.
france24 · 8 days ago
Israel crosses the Litani River in Lebanon: What it means and why it matters The Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces have advanced further into Lebanon, crossing the Litani river, amid a nominal truce. The Litani is seen as one of the most important reference lines in the south of the country - it is the northern limit of a UN-monitored security zone. Details by Nicholas Rushworth.
france24 · 8 days ago
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news.yahoo.com · 8 days ago
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aljazeera · 8 days ago
Israeli forces cross key Lebanon river in expanded ground offensive Israeli forces have advanced to positions north of Lebanons Litani River, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday, as Israel escalates attacks against Hezbollah militants after warning thousands more Lebanese to flee their villages. The Israeli advance came as the US military hosted Israeli and Lebanese defence representatives in Washington on Friday to pursue a US-brokered plan to forge peace between the two countries and disarm Iran-backed Hezbollah.
france24 · 9 days ago
#BREAKING 🇮🇱❌🇵🇸 - During a conference in the Ein Prat Leadership Academy in Israel yesterday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his directive is to increase the occupation of Gaza onto 70 of Its territory, from the current 60. Following a comment by an audience member, Netanyahu expressed the will to steadily increase the occupation up to 100 of Gaza. 📝 Transcript [click to expand]: Netanyahu: So, we are in a process where our power, we can leverage our power in several directions. If there is a need to crush Hezbollah. We are currently striking Hamas, yes. We are now at 60 of the territory of the Strip. You know, we were at 50. We moved to 60. My directive is to move to..." The audience then calls out: "100! 100!" He chuckles and responds: "Go in order. First of all, 70. Lets start with that. We are striking them from all directions, and we will handle the rest."
telegram bot · 9 days ago
Benjamin Netanjahu potvrdil postup izraelských síl za rieku Lítání Izraelská armáda po týždňoch bojov prekročila rieku Lítání a postupuje hlbšie do Libanonu. Netanjahu hlási údery až v Bejrúte a údolí Bikáa.
aktuality.sk · 9 days ago
Izraelské jednotky prekročili rieku Lítání v južnom Libanone, uviedol Benjamin Netanjahu Izraelská armáda po týždňoch bojov prekročila rieku Lítání a postupuje hlbšie do Libanonu. Netanjahu hlási údery až v Bejrúte a údolí Bikáa.
aktuality.sk · 9 days ago