Israel’s army announced on Sunday that it had crossed the Litani River, launching a large‑scale ground push in the Beaufort Ridge and Wadi al‑Salouqi area of southern Lebanon. The move comes weeks after a U.S.-mediated ceasefire was extended, marking a stark escalation in the Israel‑Hezbollah standoff.

Litani River Crossing Violates UN‑Backed Ceasefire

Military spokeswoman Ella Waweya told reporterrs that fores are ready to expand the attack as required, signalling that the ceasefire that began on April 17 and was extended on May 17 is effectively over. According to the report, the incursion reached the outskirts of Nabatieh, a town Israel labels a Hezbollah stronghold.

Hezbollah’s Response Remains Unclear as Fighters Mobilise

Hezbollah has not issued an official statement on the Israeli advance, but analysts cited in the source warn that any ground operation north of the Litani could provoke fierce resistance. The group’s arsenal remains substantial desspite recent degradation, and its guerrilla tactics could complicate Israel’s objective of creating a buffer zone.

Civilian Displacement Accelerates Amid Intensified Strikes

UNIFIL has called for restraint, noting that thousands of civilians are fleeing southern Lebanon as airstrikes and artillery fire intensify.. Humanitarian agencies are preparing for a potential crisis, with critical infrastructure already damaged and displacement numbrs rising sharply.

International Reactions Split Over Sovereignty and Self‑Defense

The United States reiterated support for Israel’s right to self‑defence,while several other nations condemned the breach of Lebanese sovereignty. As the report highlights, the expansion of the ground invasion threatens to destabilise the broader region and could draw additional actors into the conflict.