TEL AVIV, Israel, May 31 — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Sunday that troops located weapons in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah in southern Lebanon, which the military said further demonstrated Hezbollah’s presence within civilian areas.
In a post on X, the IDF released photographs from what it described as a precise military operation conducted in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi Saluki areas of southern Lebanon.
“IDF troops located weapons in the village of Zawtar al-Sharqiyah—further proof of Hezbollah’s presence inside civilian areas in southern Lebanon,” the military said.
The Israeli Air Force also announced that it was continuing strikes against Hezbollah infrastructure in southern Lebanon.
In a separate statement posted on X, the Air Force said it was targeting Hezbollah facilities in the city of Tyre and other locations across southern Lebanon.
The Israeli military also reported that two projectiles launched from Lebanon were intercepted after crossing into Israeli territory.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the capture of the Beaufort area as a significant development in Israel’s military strategy.
According to comments cited by Al Jazeera from Israeli sources, Netanyahu said, “The occupation of Beaufort is a dramatic step and a dramatic change in the policy we are leading. We are taking initiatives and operating on all fronts—in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon. We have established security belts beyond our borders to protect our communities.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz also hailed the operation as a major strategic achievement, announcing that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River and expanded military operations against Hezbollah positions north of the river.
In a post on X, Katz noted that the operation coincided with the anniversary of the 1982 Battle of Beaufort during the Lebanon War, describing the latest military action as a symbolic return to a site with deep significance in Israeli military history.
“Forty-four years after the heroic battle for the Beaufort, and on the memorial day for those who fell during the Peace for Galilee War, including Golani Brigade soldiers who died in the battle for the Beaufort, IDF fighters led by the Golani Brigade returned to the summit of the Beaufort and once again raised the flags of Israel and the Golani Brigade,” Katz said.
The developments come amid ongoing military operations by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah positions and infrastructure. (ANI)
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