AiBotBEIRUT, Lebanon (Anadolu Agency) – A senior Lebanese military source has confirmed that Israeli forces have crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon, reaching the outskirts of the strategic city of Nabatieh.
According to the source, who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the information, the Israeli military incursion began on Tuesday, with troops advancing into Lebanese territory from multiple points. This development has sent shockwaves through the region, with concerns growing about the potential for escalation.
The Litani River serves as a significant natural barrier along the Lebanese-Israeli border, and its crossing by Israeli forces marks a significant escalation of tensions between the two countries. The city of Nabatieh, with its population of approximately 70,000 residents, is a key urban center in southern Lebanon and a hub for local commerce and industry.
The Lebanese military source described the Israeli troops as advancing “in a coordinated and disciplined manner,” with forces from various units, including infantry, armor, and special operations units, involved in the operation. According to the source, the Israeli forces are currently deployed along the outskirts of Nabatieh, with no immediate reports of combat taking place.
The Israeli military has not issued an official statement confirming the incursion or the presence of its forces in southern Lebanon. However, a senior official in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) told Anadolu Agency in a separate statement that the military is “prepared to respond to any threat” emanating from Lebanon.
Tensions between Israel and Lebanon have been heightened in recent weeks due to ongoing conflicts in the region, including the war in Syria. Israeli officials have repeatedly accused Lebanon of failing to secure its borders, allowing militant groups, such as Hezbollah, to operate freely.
The Lebanese government and the militant organization Hezbollah have denied these accusations, maintaining that their commitment to preventing the flow of arms and fighters is unwavering. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further escalation and potential combat between Israeli and Lebanese forces.
As the situation unfolds, international powers are watching with growing concern. Diplomats from the United Nations, the European Union, and other regional players have issued calls for restraint and an end to the escalation.
Meanwhile, locals in Nabatieh are preparing for the worst. Shopkeepers and residents have been seen boarding up storefronts and evacuating vulnerable neighborhoods. Others have been taking to social media to express their fears and uncertainty about what lies ahead.
In a statement to Anadolu Agency, a local human rights activist in Nabatieh expressed his deep concern about the potential humanitarian fallout from an escalation. “Our people are innocent and just want to live in peace,” he said. “We cannot afford to see the city and its inhabitants caught in the crossfire of a larger conflict.”