It was a “secret” operation that lasted about a week and allowed Israeli forces occupying South Lebanon to cross the Litani River towards the Nabatiyah region. Several days after this development on the ground, marked by clashes with Hezbollah, especially in Deir Seriane, the Israeli army confirmed that it had established “operational control” of the area. The Israeli army radio (GLZ) published details of the operation.
According to the version published by the Israeli army, the special operation involved Golani brigade forces, who “cleared the Litani area and established operational control”. The Israeli army discovered “headquarters used by Hezbollah members and underground infrastructures containing weapons, arsenals, and launching platforms,” according to a message posted by the Arabic-speaking military spokesperson Avichay Adraee. This operation was carried out as the air force “hit more than 100 military targets in support of infantry forces” and “dozens of Hezbollah fighters were killed”.
According to GLZ information, the operation involved, in addition to the Golani brigade, the Egoz unit, specialized in combat in complex terrains. They “secretly crossed the Litani” and advanced towards the outskirts of Zaoutar el-Charkiya, an area “from which Hezbollah had fired rockets and mortar shells”. This village, heavily bombed throughout the past week along with the neighboring village of Zaoutar el-Gharbiya, faced the occupied villages of Deir Seriane and Adchit el-Qousseir, on the southern bank of the river. The crossing was carried out by infantry troops and “heavy armored vehicles, troop transport”.
Throughout last week, the Israeli army conducted dozens of bombings on Zaoutar el-Charkiya and, in general, in the Nabatiyah region. Hezbollah claims nearly daily attacks with kamikaze drones or rocket fire on Deir Seriane, especially along the riverbanks, Khallet Raj, and, less regularly, Taybeh, two villages occupied by Israel that Israeli forces advance towards Zaoutar. The party-militia has repeatedly stated that these attacks have caused casualties among Israeli ranks.
The Israeli army continues to destroy homes, neighborhoods, and infrastructure in many villages of the “buffer zone” it has de facto established in Lebanese territory, along the Blue Line, under regular attacks from Hezbollah, especially through kamikaze drones. Bombings also continue to fall on southern Lebanon, up to the heights of Jezzine and, more rarely, on the Bekaa. Over the weekend, several targeted assassinations were carried out in the Chouf, about twenty kilometers south of Beirut.
