Israeli air strikes have destroyed two bridges over the Litani River linking southern Lebanon with the rest of the country, according to military sources. The strikes are an extension of Israel's military response after Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militant group, reportedly used these crossings to move fighters and weapons.
As the conflict intensifies, Israeli authorities have targeted a range of locations across Beirut, leading to significant civilian casualties. Recent reports confirm at least 12 fatalities and 27 injuries from these strikes, marking a shift in military actions deeper into Beirut, away from the southern suburbs where conflict had been previously concentrated.
The Lebanese health ministry has indicated that since March 2, over 968 people, including at least 111 children, have died due to ongoing hostilities. This spike in violence comes as Lebanon finds itself increasingly entangled in the regional conflict following Hezbollah's missile launches into Israel, leading to Israel's military actions in return.
Israel's Defence Minister, Israel Katz, stated that the targeted bridges were part of a "direct action against Hezbollah's use of Lebanon's state infrastructure to advance terrorist activity." Meanwhile, the Lebanese authorities continue to warn civilians about impending strikes, leading to an ongoing humanitarian crisis with over a million people displaced from their homes.
As tensions rise, the region stands at a precarious crossroad with the UN Security Council set resolutions prohibiting the presence of armed groups south of the Litani River, which Israel claims Hezbollah disregards. The area has witnessed an alarming increase in violence and displacement, turning parts of Beirut into scenes reminiscent of conflict-stricken zones.
