Israeli troops clash with Hezbollah along Lebanon's Litani River
發佈日期: 2026-05-27 22:10
TVB News
Israel's military clashes with the Iran-backed Hezbollah along a strategic river in southern Lebanon as Israeli troops pushed farther north, days ahead of talks in Washington between Lebanese and Israeli delegations.
A US-brokered ceasefire in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict appeared more nominal by the day, complicating efforts at a broader peace in the Iran war as Tehran wants an agreement to include an end to the fighting in Lebanon.
The Litani River has been a de facto boundary in Lebanon, with large areas to the south under Israeli military control despite the ceasefire that's been in place for over a month.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says after meeting with his defence minister and senior military officials that Israel will expand its operations in Lebanon.
"The Israeli Defense Forces are operating with large forces on the ground and seizing strategic areas," he says, adding Israel is trying to fortify an area of southern Lebanon under its control, which it says is necessary to protect residents in its northern border towns from Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks.
Meanwhile, an Israeli security official says the military has called up an additional battalion to Lebanon, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
Israel's military says it struck more than 100 Hezbollah sites across southern Lebanon and the eastern Bekaa Valley area overnight, adding it targeted storage facilities, command centres and observation points used to attack Israeli troops and residents in northern Israel.
Israel in recent days has intensified strikes in the city and province of Nabatiyeh, just north of the river.
On Tuesday it warned city residents to leave.
Hezbollah, meanwhile, says it launched several rocket, artillery and exploding drone attacks on Israeli troops and vehicles mobilising along the river toward the Nabatiyeh villages of Yohmor al-Shaqif and Zawtar al-Sharqieh.
The Lebanese government, which came to power on a platform of reform and disarming Hezbollah and other armed groups, hopes upcoming direct talks with Israel, which Hezbollah opposes, will lead to a permanent ceasefire and withdrawal of Israeli troops.
Israel says it will not withdraw until Hezbollah no longer poses a threat to residents of its northern towns.
Hezbollah has vowed to fight until Israel stops its daily airstrikes and withdraws its troops from Lebanon.
The spokesperson for Antonio Guterres says the United Nations Secretary-General said it is imperative to avoid any escalation of the conflict in the Middle East.
Farhan Haq said, "Now more than ever, he said, it is imperative to avoid any escalation of a conflict that has already exacted a devastating toll on civilians, and that risks making the search for peace even more distant, prolonging the suffering of people."
"The Secretary General added that this takes place as Israel has announced an escalation of its operations in Lebanon, we witness constant violations of the ceasefire in Gaza, and the result of negotiations between the US and Iran to enter the conflict in the Gulf remains unpredictable."
