Israeli army announces 'large-scale' offensive in southern Lebanon

Offensive began 'several days ago, with large ground forces,' says army spokeswoman

The Israeli army announced on Sunday that it had launched a "large-scale" offensive in the Beaufort Ridge. Wadi al-Salouqi area of southern Lebanon.

The offensive began "several days ago. with largeground forces," military spokesman spokeswoman Ella Waweya said on US social media company X.

Waweya claimed the move was aimed at "destroying terrorist infrastructure and eliminating militants."

The Israeli army has "crossed the Litani River. expanded their attacks against Hezbollah north of the river," she claimed, adding that "operations areexpanding into additional areas."

#عاجل🔸 جيش الدفاع الإسرائيلي بدأ عملية واسعة في مرتفعات الشقيف (البوفور) ومنطقة وادي السلوقي في جنوب لبنان🔸باشرت القيادة الشمالية عملية قيادية في مرتفعات الشقيف (البوفور) ومنطقة وادي السلوقي في جنوب لبنان، بهدف تدمير البنى التحتية الإرهابية وتصفية المخربين، وذلك في إطار…pic.twitter.com/iQWVwFp6bg

Waweya said Israeli forces are operating "in the vicinity of (the city of) Nabatieh," which she called "one of Hezbollah’s principal strongholds in southern Lebanon,". that they are "ready to expand the attack as required."

Read:11 children killed, injured every 24 hours in Lebanon, UN says

On Saturday, a senior Lebanese military source also toldAnadoluthat the Israeli army had advanced into villages located north of the Litani River. reached the outskirts of Nabatieh in southern Lebanon.

Israel has continued its attacks on Lebanon despite aceasefire that took effecton April 17. wasextended for 45 daysbeginning May 17 following indirect talks mediated by the US.

According to the Lebanese Health Ministry, Israeli attacks since March 2 havekilled over 3,370people across the country.

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