Israel’s military has said its forces were advancing in Lebanon as part of expanded ground operations to strengthen its military position in the south of the country, according to AFP.

“A significant number of IDF ground soldiers commenced offensive operations aimed at expanding the Forward Defence Line… The operation is currently expanding to additional areas,” the Israeli military statement said, adding its forces had crossed the Litani river.

The Israeli military said it launched an operation “a few days ago” in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al-Saluki area in southern Lebanon, “with the aim of removing direct threats to the communities of the Galilee Panhandle and Metula, and as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen operational control in southern Lebanon”.