From Litani to Beaufort: Givati Brigade commander shares his experience in Lebanon

Givati Brigade Commander Col. Netanel Shamaka described his role in the mission that secured the Beaufort Ridge outpost and Wadi al-Saluki zones north of the Litani River during an interview published on the IDF website on Tuesday.

The IDF stated that troops from the Givati Brigade and other units gained control of the zone on Sunday.

Shamaka explained that the initial phase involved preparing crossings over the Litani River several weeks ahead of the public announcement. Troops cleared vegetation, flattened ground, and constructed routes for advancing forces. Once positioned, they focused on removing hostile fighters and related infrastructure from the area.

As forces moved along the river and up the ridge, they spotted numerous launchers and weapons while facing artillery fire overhead. Shamaka reflected on the importance of their presence and the broader meaning of the effort at such times.

After overcoming terrain obstacles and neutralizing threats, the soldiers completed the mission successfully.

Thinking about the soldiers who fell heroically on the way there

Shamaka noted mixed feelings while standing at the ridge summit with participating units. He looked toward the northern communities under protection yet also recalled the troops who died bravely during the advance.

The brigade, long engaged in Gaza operations, adjusted to Lebanon's different landscape and established a defensive line. Shamaka highlighted ongoing training and exercises that prepared them for the new setting, including study of enemy tactics and full integration of changes across the unit.

Before leading his Gaza-experienced soldiers across the border into Lebanon for the first time, Shamaka paused to recognize the moment. He said that as a brigade commander he remains a soldier at heart and recalls the emotions troops feel in such situations. He carries responsibility for thousands under his command from morning until night, and this sense of duty continues to motivate him amid major successes.

The public does not know what achievements we have made

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu highlighted the IDF's recent gains against Hezbollah on Sunday. He said the return to Beaufort came with unity and strength, noting conversations with northern fighters who urged him to share details of their work with the Israeli public.

Netanyahu reported that the IDF has eliminated 8,000 Hezbollah fighters since the war began, including roughly 3,000 since Operation Roaring Lion started and 700 in the past month. He described the Beaufort capture as a pivotal shift in strategy that breaks barriers of fear, seizes initiative, and creates security zones beyond the borders to shield communities.