IDF Uses Deception to Cross the Litani in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli military officer said the IDF crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon for the first time since the 1982 Lebanon War after weeks of preparations, commando raids and a deception operation meant to mislead Hezbollah. The army said it gained operational control in the northern Saluki stream area, with engineers building bridges, opening routes and advancing deeper into the terrain. The officer said Hezbollah had prepared to block a crossing with observation posts, cameras and positions, but was caught off guard when Israeli forces emerged from a concealed route. "For a period we carried out a diversion that made them think we were going north from the eastern side," he said. "In practice we breached a route secretly inside a wadi. We came from the rear and that surprised them מאוד."