WATCH: IDF soldiers cross Litani River - for the first time since 2000 Lebanon withdrawal

For the first time since Israel's withdrawal from Lebanon in 2000, IDF forces are operating on the ground near the strategic Litani River.

The Litani River, approximately 20 miles north of the Israeli border, historically marked the limit of Israel's operations in Lebanon. This new operation represents the deepest Israeli military presence in Lebanon in over two decades, highlighting the expanding scope of the current conflict.

The IDF reports major operations in southern Lebanon's challenging mountainous terrain, where Division 91 forces have uncovered and destroyed extensive Hezbollah infrastructure along the Saluki area and Litani River.

The Commando Brigade's combat team discovered hundreds of weapons, dozens of underground facilities, and multiple rocket launchers ready for deployment in the Saluki region.

"Our forces uncovered terrorist infrastructure carefully hidden in complex terrain," an IDF spokesperson said. The operation resulted in the destruction of thousands of rockets and missiles, dozens of launchers, and weapons caches concealed in mountainsides, including artillery positions.

Meanwhile, in a separate operation near the Litani River, the Alexandroni Brigade, working with Reserve Brigade 769, Golani Reconnaissance, and Shaldag units, engaged in direct combat with terrorists following intelligence leads.

Both missions, which saw fierce close-quarter combat, represent a significant escalation in Israel's northern operations. Division 91 continues both offensive operations and defensive missions along the border, demonstrating the IDF's commitment to neutralizing threats from Lebanese territory.

This extensive operation reveals the scale of Hezbollah's military buildup in southern Lebanon, with weapons and infrastructure embedded throughout the mountainous region.