Israel Defense Forces troops are operating beyond the Litani River, approximately 18 miles north of the border in Southern Lebanon, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday.
“Our forces crossed the Litani and are operating in Beirut as well as in the Bekaa Valley, across the entire front to strike Hezbollah directly,” Netanyahu said.
The prime minister visited the 36th Armored Division along the border together with Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Deputy Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Tamir Yadai.
“There is tremendous fighting spirit here. From here, the battle against Hezbollah in the north is being waged,” Netanyahu said.
“And I must tell you that there are very impressive results. The brigade commanders, as well as the soldiers, tell me that in every engagement and every encounter, we are both eliminating Hezbollah terrorists and pushing them back,” he continued.
“I salute you. You are lions, and you demonstrate the strength and spirit of the Israel Defense Forces. Continue with great success—until the mission is complete,” he said.
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said on Friday that more than 7,500 Hezbollah operatives have been killed since the Iranian-backed terrorist group launched a war against Israel a day after the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, massacre.
“The cumulative and multi-system damage inflicted on Hezbollah is significant and unprecedented, with more than 7,500 terrorists eliminated since the start of the war, including 2,500 since the beginning of ‘Operation Roaring Lion,’” Zamir said, referring to the U.S.-Israel military operation against Iran that began on Feb. 28.
“We will continue striking the enemy wherever we can and we will expand upon our achievements,” he added.
“Our objective is clear—to intensify the damage to Hezbollah, push the terror threat away from our civilians, and strengthen the defense of the northern communities. This is the central goal guiding us in every action and every decision,” Zamir said.
