IDF announces major ground operation across the Litani River in Lebanon, including the capture of the Beaufort Ridge, as troops move deeper into Hezbollah-held territory.By World Israel News StaffThe Israeli military said Sunday it had launched a broad ground operation in southern Lebanon’s Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki area, pushing deeper into Hezbollah-held territory north of the Litani River as part of an expanded campaign to remove threats to northern Israel.The IDF said Northern Command forces began the operation several days ago “to destroy infrastructure and eliminate terrorists,” adding that the effort was intended to strengthen operational control in southern Lebanon and remove “the direct threat” to Israeli towns in the Upper Galilee.The operation is being carried out by troops from the Golani Brigade, the 7th Armored Brigade, the Givati Brigade, the Fire Brigade and the “Refaim” Multidimensional Unit (or “Ghost Unit”) under the command of the 36th Division, with intelligence guidance from the Military Intelligence Directorate, the army said.The IDF said the forces were working to “expand the forward defense line” and gain control of the Beaufort Ridge and the Wadi al-Saluki area, both strategically important zones overlooking parts of southern Lebanon and northern Israel.The army said the operation was approved by the chief of staff and followed “an orderly battle procedure,” including advance fire preparation and operational measures led by Northern Command.According to the IDF, Hezbollah built significant military infrastructure on the ridge “under Iranian direction,” using the area to manage fighting and carry out attacks. The military said troops were also targeting launch sites from which hundreds of rockets had been fired at Israeli civilians and IDF forces operating in southern Lebanon.The IDF said its forces had crossed the Litani River and expanded attacks on Hezbollah north of the river, with operations spreading to additional areas.Before the ground forces entered, the Israeli Air Force carried out heavy strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure in the area, the army said. The assault was supported by artillery and tank fire, as well as strikes on commanding terrain, searches and neutralization of military infrastructure near the Litani, and engineering work needed to prepare the area for offensive operations.The IDF said its forces were operating near Nabatieh, describing the city as a major Hezbollah power center in southern Lebanon, and said the military was “prepared and ready to expand the attack as required.”The Beaufort area has long held strategic and symbolic importance.The Crusader-era Beaufort Castle, near the village of Arnoun, overlooks parts of southern Lebanon and was held by Israel and its allied South Lebanon Army before Israel’s withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000.The latest operation marks one of Israel’s deepest ground advances in Lebanon in decades and comes despite a US-brokered ceasefire reached in April that has repeatedly frayed amid continued Israeli strikes, Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks, and large-scale displacement in southern Lebanon.Reuters reported last week that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River as part of an expanded ground offensive, while Lebanese security sources described some of the moves as limited incursions and withdrawals. AP reported Sunday that Israeli troops had captured the Beaufort Castle area after days of airstrikes and fighting.Israel says the campaign is aimed at preventing Hezbollah from reestablishing positions near the border and stopping attacks on northern Israeli communities. Lebanese officials and international aid groups have warned that the widening fighting has forced large numbers of civilians from southern Lebanon and deepened the country’s humanitarian crisis.The IDF said the Beaufort and Wadi al-Saluki operation was part of “dozens” of recent operations against Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.“The IDF will continue to operate to remove any threat to the State of Israel,” the army said.The post IDF forces cross Litani River, seize Beaufort Castle in Lebanon appeared first on World Israel News.