Israel Expands Gaza Operation and Says Its Forces Crossed Lebanon's Litani

Israel widened its military operations on two fronts. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli forces had crossed the Litani River in southern Lebanon, a line that featured prominently in the most recent ceasefire arrangement. Separately, he ordered the military to expand its occupation of Gaza to about 70 percent of the territory, according to Russian state media.

The human cost in Lebanon is mounting. The United Nations children's agency said 15 children were killed there in the past seven days, and that 55 children have been killed and 212 wounded since the ceasefire was announced.

The escalation works against the diplomatic effort underway over Iran. A wider regional conflict that draws in Lebanon and prolongs the Gaza campaign would keep an added premium for risk on oil prices and on regional assets, even if the United States and Iran agree to extend their separate ceasefire.