Israel destroys bridges over Litani River in southern Lebanon
Israeli forces have bombed multiple bridges crossing the Litani River in southern Lebanon as part of a broader operation targeting Hezbollah infrastructure.
10:19 AM
Israeli forces have struck multiple bridges spanning the Litani River in southern Lebanon, according to military statements and local reports.
On Sunday, the Israeli military destroyed the Al-Qasmiya bridge crossing the Litani River in southern Lebanon. The operation followed an announcement by Israeli authorities of their intention to target the crossing. The military stated the strike was intended to prevent Hezbollah from transferring militants and weapons to southern Lebanon.
On Monday, Israeli forces bombed the Kaakaiyet el-Jisr bridge on the same river, severing connections between the Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil regions. This strike came as part of a broader campaign ordered by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on March 18 to destroy all bridges crossing the Litani River.
The Qasmiyeh bridge, located between the cities of Tyre and Sidon, was targeted twice in a single day. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced Sunday that the military had been ordered to destroy all bridges on the Litani and to intensify demolition of Lebanese homes near the Israeli border.
The Israeli military said it had launched "a broad wave of attacks against the infrastructure of the terrorist organization Hezbollah in southern Lebanon." The strikes are part of an escalation between Hezbollah and Israel occurring within the broader context of the conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun characterized the destruction of the Qasmiyeh bridge as "a prelude to an Israeli ground invasion," though Israeli troops have already crossed the border and are conducting operations directly from southern Lebanese territory.
The operations also include ongoing bombardments against cities and villages in the region, alongside the demolition of homes in areas near the Israel-Lebanon border.
Prior to the bridge strikes, an Israeli civilian was killed in his vehicle near the Lebanese border following what the military described as an attack from Lebanese territory. This marked the first Israeli civilian casualty linked to fire from Lebanon in the current escalation.