Netanyahu says Israeli forces crossed the Litani River, operating in Beirut and Bekaa Valley
Netanyahu says Israeli forces crossed the Litani River and are operating in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley after ordering control of 70% of Gaza, 29 May 2026.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on 29 May 2026 that Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon and were operating in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley, calling the moves a “tactical victory.” He also said he had ordered the military to take control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, a claim that dramatically expands the scope of Israel’s declared campaign. The statements mark one of the most forceful public accounts yet of Israeli operations beyond Gaza and across the Lebanon frontier.
Netanyahu’s announcement and key claims
Netanyahu said in a televised statement that Israeli forces had advanced across the Litani River and were active in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley. He framed the developments as a strategic step and described the operations in Lebanon alongside an order to secure the majority of the Gaza Strip. The prime minister’s description emphasized military objectives and framed the moves as part of a broader campaign against armed groups operating from Gaza and parts of southern Lebanon.
Military orders concerning Gaza
In his address, Netanyahu said he had directed the Israel Defence Forces to take control of 70% of the Gaza Strip, signalling an expansion of ground objectives. That figure, if realised, would represent a significant increase in territorial control compared with earlier stages of the campaign. Israeli officials did not provide immediate operational maps or timelines to substantiate the claim, leaving the scale and timetable for such an advance unclear.
Claims of operations in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley
The prime minister’s claim that forces were operating in Beirut and the Bekaa Valley suggests activity far beyond the immediate border area in southern Lebanon. If troops are operating near those population centres, it would indicate a substantial geographical widening of the conflict. Independent confirmation of Israeli military presence in those Lebanese regions was not available at the time of the announcement, and no Lebanese government statement was immediately reported in connection with the claim.
Verification and reporting limitations
Independent verification of operations across the Litani River, in Beirut and in the Bekaa Valley was constrained by limited access for journalists and the fluid security environment. Communications and reporting from front-line areas are often disrupted during active operations, complicating efforts to corroborate official statements. Media organisations and regional monitors typically require time to confirm troop movements and control of urban or rural areas, and discrepancies can emerge between military claims and independent observation.
Regional and diplomatic stakes
An expansion of hostilities into greater Lebanese territory would raise the risk of a broader regional escalation and prompt urgent diplomatic attention. Governments in the Gulf, Europe and beyond have in past weeks expressed concern about cross-border attacks and the humanitarian impact of the Gaza conflict, and any widening into Lebanon could intensify international calls for de-escalation. Neighbouring states and international organisations are likely to monitor developments closely while weighing diplomatic and humanitarian responses.
Humanitarian implications and displacement risks
Orders to seize control of large portions of Gaza and reported operations into Lebanese territory carry significant humanitarian implications, particularly for civilians living in contested areas. Large-scale military activity in densely populated cities and agricultural valleys can produce displacement, restrict access to food and medical care, and strain humanitarian corridors. Humanitarian agencies and regional authorities will face urgent pressure to assess needs and seek safe access for relief, though such efforts are often hampered by active combat and security constraints.
The situation remains highly fluid and subject to rapid change, with official statements and on-the-ground reports likely to evolve in the hours and days ahead. International observers, humanitarian organisations and regional governments will be watching for independent confirmation of troop movements, detailed operational plans and measures to protect civilians as the situation develops.
