Jerusalem, 12 May, 2026 (TPS-IL) — Israeli forces have gained operational control over areas along the Litani River in Southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces said Tuesday.
The operation, conducted over the past week, focused on clearing Hezbollah infrastructure and securing key terrain near the strategic river.
According to the military, troops uncovered temporary compounds used by Hezbollah terrorists, underground shelters stocked with weapons, launch sites, and arms depots hidden throughout the area. Israeli Air Force aircraft carried out more than 100 strikes in support of the ground operation, targeting what the IDF described as Hezbollah combat infrastructure.
The military said dozens of Hezbollah terrorists were Killed During close-quarters fighting and through coordinated air support. In one clash, Israeli troops located and dismantled a significant underground facility used by Hezbollah operatives.
The Litani, 140 km long, is Lebanon’s longest river, originating in eastern Lebanon near the city of Baalbek. The river follows the Beqaa Valley south before turning west and eventually reaching the Mediterranean near the city of Tyre.
According to United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War, Hezbollah is forbidden from operating south of the Litani.
The operation comes amid continuing fighting between Israeli forces and the Iranian-backed terror organization in Southern Lebanon.
Separately, the IDF said it struck approximately 45 Hezbollah targets across southern Lebanon during the past 24 hours. The targets included command posts, observation positions, assembly areas, and buildings allegedly used to plan and launch attacks against Israeli forces and civilians.
The military also said about 10 weapons storage facilities were destroyed in the strikes. Additional airstrikes targeted missile launchers and Hezbollah operatives deemed to pose an immediate threat to Israeli troops operating in the area.
The IDF said the Israeli Air Force intercepted two suspicious aerial targets near areas where Israeli troops are deployed in southern Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah launched several rockets overnight Tuesday toward Israeli forces operating south of the forward defense line in Lebanon. According to the military, the rockets landed in open areas and caused no casualties.
The ceasefire of November 2024 required Hezbollah to withdraw its forces from southern Lebanon and prohibited it from operating south of the Litani River.
Following Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, Hezbollah began daily rocket fire at northern Israeli communities, prompting thousands of residents to flee.
Since November 2024, Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes against Hezbollah activities in violation of the ceasefire. On March 2, Hezbollah resumed rocket fire at northern Israel following the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.