While the Israeli occupation has portrayed its forces’ advance to the Litani River as a “significant battlefield achievement,” evidence emerging from the battlefield reveals that what is being presented as “a strategic breakthrough” amounts to a limited advance secured only after months of intense fighting and a scorched-earth campaign.
The advance was carved out along the shortest and most geographically favorable route from the Lebanese-Palestinian border, while Israeli occupation forces continue to struggle to establish lasting control or ensure the security of troops in areas they have entered.
A Narrow Corridor Presented as a Major Achievement
Israeli occupation forces selected the narrowest and closest route to the border in order to reach the Litani River and are now presenting that advance as “a major military accomplishment.”
The geographical distance separating the border area known as the Galilee Panhandle from the Litani River is no more than three kilometers.
According to field assessments, it took the Israeli military approximately three months to occupy around eight Lebanese villages located along the axis of advance leading to the river. Among them were three villages that had already been completely devastated and emptied of civilian residents, as well as any resistance presence: Adaisseh, Kfar Kila, and Rub Thalathin.
Months of Resistance and Heavy Israeli Losses
For nearly three months, resistance forces reportedly managed to halt Israeli advances along this front and inflicted substantial losses on attacking troops.
The Israeli enemy committed forces equivalent to an entire division to the sector, including elite regular units from the 36th Division, led by the Golani Brigade.
As its forces pushed forward, the Israeli military relied heavily on a scorched-earth strategy, unleashing massive volumes of artillery fire and intensive bombardment belts. Entire built-up areas overlooking the river were systematically destroyed to prevent resistance fighters from establishing positions there.
Field reports indicate that this approach remains a central feature of Israeli operations, with overwhelming firepower being used ahead of advances to avoid direct engagements with resistance fighters.
IOF Remains Under Fire
Despite territorial gains, resistance fire reportedly continues to threaten Israeli occupation forces throughout rear operational zones, extending to border positions and beyond.
Military observers note that Israeli occupation forces have yet to establish stable control in any area they have entered. From a tactical and operational perspective, the battlefield remains fluid, characterized by constant movement, attacks, counterattacks, and ongoing engagements.
No Full Control Over Zawtar Al-Sharqiya or Yahmar
Field information indicates that Israeli occupation forces have not yet secured either Zawtar Al-Sharqieha or Yohmor.
Israeli troops reportedly remain confined to the southern outskirts of both towns, where resistance fighters continue to engage them in what are described as fierce battles. Both locations remain active combat zones.
Military confrontations and resistance operations are ongoing in Yohmor Al-Shaqif, Zawtar Al-Sharqiyeh, Debbin, and the areas surrounding Ghandouriyeh.
The region remains an active theater of operations, with Zionist forces conducting dozens of airstrikes and concentrating artillery bombardments on these villages since yesterday and continuing through today.
Terrain Exploited to Circumvent Resistance Positions
Unable to advance directly through several villages, Israeli occupation forces have reportedly attempted to exploit the region’s rugged terrain to maneuver around resistance positions.
This was evident during operations overnight in Yohmor Al-Shaqif, where Israeli troops reportedly advanced from the town’s southeastern flank in an effort to reach the vicinity of Beaufort Castle under intense air and artillery cover.
According to field reports, resistance forces are employing a variety of weapons systems to prevent Israeli troops from advancing deeper into villages or establishing permanent positions.
These attacks have repeatedly forced Israeli units to withdraw towards the outskirts of contested areas rather than consolidate control within them.
Advance to the Litani Fails to Halt Attacks on Northern Settlements
Israeli occupation forces continue to operate in an area located only three to five kilometres from the Lebanese-Palestinian border.
Field assessments further indicate that the advance to the Litani River has not prevented resistance forces from continuing to target settlements in the Upper Galilee with rockets and attack drones.
This undermines one of the principal objectives behind the Israeli enemy’s push towards the Litani River: shielding northern settlements from resistance fire.
The advance to the Litani River has neither curtailed Hezbollah’s ongoing rocket attacks nor disrupted its increasingly sophisticated and methodical drone operations against settlements and military sites in the Upper Galilee, casting doubt on the operation’s effectiveness in delivering the security it was intended to achieve.
Source: Al-Manar English Website