Israeli air strikes have destroyed two bridges over the Litani River linking southern Lebanon with the rest of the country, marking a significant escalation in military operations against Hezbollah, the Israeli military has reported.
The strikes come shortly after warnings were issued by Israeli authorities about targeting crossings allegedly in use by Hezbollah for moving fighters and weaponry. In addition to bridge destructions, multiple sites in Beirut were also struck, resulting in at least 12 civilian deaths and 27 injuries, as civilian populations find themselves increasingly caught in the crossfire.
Lebanon's health ministry noted that since March 2, nearly 1,000 people, including 111 children, have died due to ongoing conflict. The recent military activities indicate an attempt by Israeli forces to extend their operations beyond southern suburbs into central Beirut, ramping up the humanitarian crisis as over a million people have been displaced, primarily from the south and eastern regions of Lebanon.
On Wednesday, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz stated that the strikes were part of direct actions against Hezbollah using the state infrastructure for terrorist activities. He stated the strikes were aimed to curb any military advancement by the armed group.
The situation continues to escalate; earlier reports indicated that the Israeli military had called for evacuations near Litani crossings, resulting in fear and displacement among civilians, while operational controls on infrastructure enhance tensions in the already fragile security landscape of Lebanon.
Moreover, Israeli forces have been reported to conduct strikes targeting businesses linked to Hezbollah, including Al Qard Al Hassan organization offices, believed to finance the group’s military operations. The breadth of the Israeli strikes now raises concerns about civilian safety, with numerous reports of indiscriminate bombing, reflecting a grim scenario described by locals as resembling conditions in Gaza.
