While siren sounds were being heard across the Kiryat Shmona and Golan Heights regions, IDF forces entered areas north of Metula Wednesday night and started operating near the south Lebanese village of al-Hiyam, an area from which rockets are being launched at the Galilee panhandle on a daily basis. IDF officials said that the incursion represented an expansion of the operation near the border, stressing that in the near future the offensive will be widened in other sectors as well. However, diplomatic sources stated that the current activity did not constitute part of the broadened operation approved by the Security Cabinet Wednesday that may lead the army as deep into Lebanese territory as the Litani River. | “The IDF's operations throughout south Lebanon will reach the Litani River in roughly one week...” |
In the meantime, the evacuation of soldiers from southern Lebanon and the arenas of the difficult battles continue. Nine soldiers that have been hurt in south Lebanon battles were evacuated to the Rambam Hospital in Haifa so far. Another 21 wounded were evacuated to the Nahariya hospital, four of them are in moderate condition and the others sustained light injuries. Seven troops who were lightly wounded were evacuated to the Ziv Hospital in Safed. Since Wednesday morning IDF forces have been engaged in heavy battles with Hizbullah gunmen, who continue to fire various types of missiles at armored IDF vehicles and structures in which soldiers are staying. Two IDF soldiers were moderately injured near Marj Ayoun. At dawn Paratroopers Brigade troops left Lebanon, but large forces are still operating in dozens of locations, this in addition to elite reserve units operating deep inside Lebanese territory.