JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon and seized strategic positions as part of an ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday.

Speaking during a visit to Israel’s northern border with Defense Minister Israel Katz and senior Israel Defense Forces commanders, Netanyahu said troops from the IDF’s 36th Division advanced across the river, which lies roughly 18 to 30 kilometers (11 to 19 miles) north of the Israel-Lebanon border.

“Our forces crossed the Litani River, they ascended to the commanding heights. We are operating in Beirut, in the Beqaa Valley, across the entire front, and are crushing Hezbollah,” Netanyahu said.

The Litani River has long served as a key strategic demarcation line in southern Lebanon. Under the terms of a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement reached in mid-April, Israeli forces were to withdraw from southern Lebanon in exchange for Hezbollah militants pulling back north of the river and the Lebanese army deploying in the area.

Israel has maintained a presence in the region, however, citing continued threats from Hezbollah infrastructure. Israeli officials have refused full withdrawal until security concerns are fully addressed.

The development marks a significant escalation in Israel’s military operations against the Iran-backed Hezbollah group.