Special forces crossed north of the Litani River last week and carried out a daring operation near the Shiite village of Zawtar al-Sharqiya, about 10 kilometers (6.21 miles) from the Israeli border, the IDF revealed on Tuesday.

The week-long operation was one of the boldest and most significant since the start of ground operations in Lebanon, as it effectively shattered the “Litani barrier,” viewed as a strategic line in the conflict. The operation took place at one of the deepest points IDF forces have advanced so far.

According to a report by Army Radio, troops from the Egoz and Golani Reconnaissance Units crossed the Litani River in heavy armored vehicles, including Golani reconnaissance unit Namer APCs. After crossing north of the river, they continued until arriving at an area used by Hezbollah as a launching pad, from which numerous rocket and mortar barrages were fired at Israeli forces in southern Lebanon in recent weeks.

During the operation—which previously was under a gag order—several face-to-face battles took place between IDF soldiers and Hezbollah terrorists, and eight IDF soldiers were lightly wounded.

In one dramatic incident, terrorists emerged from a tunnel shaft north of the Litani River and opened fire, leading to an intense gun battle at extremely close range.

During the operation, dozens of Hezbollah terrorists were killed in gun battles and by airstrikes.

The IDF forces successfully crossed back over the Litani at the conclusion of the operation.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)