Israeli troops push deeper into Lebanon

In US, Lebanese, Israeli officials engage in direct talks in years

Beirut: Israeli troops entered the southern Lebanese village of Dibbine early on Friday, advancing deeper into the country as Lebanese and Israeli military officials convened at the Pentagon for direct talks. 

The ground movement followed airstrikes that killed six people, including a municipal policeman. In Washington, the six-member Lebanese delegation and Israeli officials focused on regional security frameworks, though Hezboll­ah, the primary target, refus­ed to take part in the process.

PM Benjamin Netanyahu visited the northern front on Friday, declaring that Israeli forces have crossed the Litani river and are dealing a “crushing blow” to Hezbollah. 

Another official said the Lebanese delegation will request the reactivation of the committee monitoring the enforcement of an earlier US-brokered ceasefire that halted the war between Israel and Hezbollah in late 2024.

The Lebanese official, who was briefed about the talks at the Pentagon, also said the delegation would seek the comprehensive implementation of the ceasefire and a stop to ongoing hostilities.

President Joseph Aoun’s received a call on Friday from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The two leaders discu­ssed the situation in Lebanon and the latest developments in West Asia.

Our forces have crossed the Litani; they have advanced to controlling the positions. We are operating in Beirut, in the Bekaa, across the entire width of the front, and we are dealing Hezbollah a crushing blow. 

Benjamin Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister