IDF Says It Has Gained Operational Control in Northern Saluki River Area in Southern Lebanon

The IDF announced today, Thursday, that an operation to achieve operational control and clear the area north of the Saluki River in the forward defense line has been completed, with the aim of removing the direct threat to communities in the Finger of Galilee and Metula.

It said the Saluki area had been used by Hezbollah as infrastructure for operating explosive drones and for launching indirect fire against IDF forces operating in the area. During the operation, the forces, together with the Air Force, destroyed hundreds of terror infrastructures and more than 50 terrorists were killed. In addition, several weapons were found, including explosive devices, anti-tank missiles and anti-tank launchers.

The operation took place against the backdrop of reports on progress in negotiations between Israel and Lebanon. This morning, a senior political source in Lebanon told the Lebanese newspaper Nidaa al-Watan that, "The coming days are expected to bring positive developments related to the implementation of the fourth round of negotiations." The source added that "the United States is adopting the Lebanese point of view and supports it." In addition, the source said that "American mediation convinced Israel to withdraw from the draft declaration of intent previously proposed in favor of the basic principles that the Lebanese delegation adhered to during the negotiations."

The source also stressed that the Lebanese basic principles are based on prioritizing the achievement of a comprehensive ceasefire before moving to the next stage, which concerns the experimental area and areas where combat activity was prohibited. He added, "This path means moving to a new stage based on understandings and defined implementation mechanisms."