From battlefield to talks: Israel expands ground operations in South Lebanon

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi

Israeli forces crossed the Litani River in South Lebanon during an operation carried out by the Golani Brigade, marking a significant escalation on the ground just days before direct talks between Lebanese and Israeli delegations in Washington.

According to the Israeli army, the operation went beyond villages along the frontline and the "yellow line," reaching one of the neighborhoods of Zawtar El Charqiyeh. The military described the mission as complex and said robotic systems were deployed to scan the area before troops advanced under heavy fire intended to "soften" the terrain.

The army claimed that Hezbollah fighters had prepared for combat in the area.

Israeli officials said the operation aimed to secure the northern edge of the buffer zone and establish what they described as "operational control" in the region.

The Israeli military added that forces from the 36th Division had joined Golani Brigade units to consolidate positions deeper inside South Lebanon, clear the area, and maintain a continued presence there.

The military development comes two days before the first direct talks in Washington at the level of the heads of the Lebanese and Israeli delegations. The move is widely seen as carrying political and military messages to the parties involved in the talks, particularly as reports indicate that Tel Aviv intends to raise what it calls the "long-term status" of South Lebanon during discussions.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army acknowledged that its forces continue to face threats from Hezbollah's explosive drones. It said that since the ceasefire took effect, it has struck at least 100 Hezbollah targets, while stressing that its target list "remains long."