Israeli Troops Push Past Litani in Lebanon as 6 Die During First Direct Pentagon Talks
Updated
Updated · Newsday · May 29
Israeli Troops Push Past Litani in Lebanon as 6 Die During First Direct Pentagon Talks
5 articles · Updated · Newsday · May 29
Israeli forces entered Dibbine early Friday and fought Hezbollah near Yohmor and Zawtar al-Sahrqieh after crossing the Litani River, extending ground operations deeper into southern Lebanon despite the April 17 ceasefire.
Six people were killed in Israeli airstrikes Friday, including five in Deir Qanoun al Nahr and Abbasiyeh and a municipal policeman in Ebba, while evacuation warnings drove hundreds of families north.
A six-member Lebanese military delegation led by Brig. Gen. George Rizkallah met Israeli officials at the Pentagon in the first direct military talks in decades, seeking full ceasefire implementation and reactivation of a U.S.-brokered monitoring committee.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had crossed the Litani and taken "controlling positions," as Lebanon's president told Marco Rubio that enforcing the ceasefire must come before broader negotiations.
The fighting came as U.S. and Iranian negotiators tentatively agreed to extend the wider 3-month war's ceasefire by 60 days; Hezbollah says any U.S.-Iran deal must halt Israel's Lebanon offensive.
As peace talks begin in Washington, why is Israel escalating its ground war in Lebanon?
Will a tentative US-Iran deal stop the war in Lebanon or ignite a global oil crisis?
Can Lebanon's government disarm Hezbollah while Israel's army advances on its soil?
Lebanon 2026: Escalating Israel-Hezbollah War, Humanitarian Catastrophe, and Regional Crisis
Overview
Israeli military operations north of the Litani River continue with the goal of neutralizing threats to northern Israel, as officials emphasize a strong commitment to security. Extensive airstrikes have targeted Hezbollah sites, causing significant casualties and damage, while Israel claims these actions are necessary due to Lebanon’s inaction. Diplomatic efforts, including U.S.-brokered talks, aim to de-escalate the conflict and establish new security arrangements, but progress is hindered by ongoing violence, fragile ceasefires, and complex regional dynamics involving Iran. The humanitarian crisis is severe, with thousands killed or wounded and over a million displaced, highlighting the urgent need for a lasting solution.