Objectives Beyond the Litani Have Been Completed, and the IDF Awaits a Political Decision

Division 36 has so far completed its objectives in southern Lebanon after crossing the Litani River and striking Hezbollah’s main defensive systems. Today (Thursday), the division’s forces are located only about three kilometers from Nabatieh, an important Shiite center, and about six kilometers from the Zahrani River. The division’s forces, under the command of Brig. Gen. Yiftah Norkin, have operated in recent weeks in the area of the villages of Rab el-Thalthin and A-Taiba to prevent the Radwan forces from entrenching near the border. The IDF says the village of A-Taiba was chosen by Hezbollah to serve as a base instead of carrying out attacks toward the Ramim Ridge opposite Misgav Am. The IDF also says crossing the Litani was a complex mission that had not been carried out on this scale since 1982. To seize the objective, the forces carried out a deception against Hezbollah, including creating the impression of an advance in one sector while in practice a hidden route was breached in the Wadi Awrch area. The forces managed to surprise Hezbollah, cross the river, advance deep into the area, and kill dozens of terrorists. As part of the operation, the Givati Brigade captured eastern Zotar and western Zotar, and later Golani forces, the 7th Brigade and special units operated in the Beaufort area. The IDF says operational control was achieved over the