Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday that troops from the Israeli military’s 36th Division had crossed the Litani River and advanced toward what he described as strategic positions in southern Lebanon, signaling a further expansion of Israeli ground operations against Hezbollah.

“Our forces crossed the Litani, and they advanced to the dominating terrain,” Netanyahu said during a visit to Israel’s northern border. “We are operating in Beirut as well, in the Beqaa as well, across the entire front, and striking Hezbollah hard.”

Earlier Friday, Israeli Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said ground troops were continuing to advance inside southern Lebanon.

“Even at these moments, our forces are advancing and operating,” Zamir said during a visit to an Israeli army post on the Lebanese side of Mount Dov, according to remarks released by the military.

Zamir said Hezbollah had suffered what he described as unprecedented cumulative losses since the start of the fighting.

“There is unprecedented cumulative damage here to Hezbollah, from thousands of terrorists to senior and mid-level commanders,” he said.

The Israeli military has in recent months established what it refers to as a “forward defense line” inside parts of southern Lebanon, forming a security zone aimed at pushing Hezbollah forces farther from the Israeli border.

Zamir said that line would not restrict Israeli military operations.

“The forward defense line does not limit us,” he said. “Wherever we identify a threat and wherever we are required to remove a threat, we will act. Wherever there is an operational need to maneuver, we will maneuver.”

He added that Israel views its campaign against Hezbollah as part of a broader confrontation with Iran and its regional allies.

“Every strike against Hezbollah is also a strike against the Iranian axis and the Iranian investment in the region,” Zamir said.

He also warned that Israel remains prepared for the possibility of a broader regional escalation involving Tehran.

“We are prepared for any development and remain at a high level of readiness against Iran as well,” he added.