Israel Destroys Two Litani River Bridges, Kills at Least 12 in Beirut

Israel destroyed two bridges spanning the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Wednesday.

“- Published Israeli air strikes have destroyed two bridges over the Litani River linking southern Lebanon with the rest of the country, the military says”

BBC

Defense Minister Israel Katz claimed the military action targeted infrastructure allegedly used by Hezbollah for weapons smuggling.

BBC

The Israeli Defense Force announced it had dismantled the bridges.

Katz framed the operation as a 'direct action against Hezbollah's use of Lebanon's state infrastructure'.

The strikes came after the military warned residents in the vicinity to evacuate.

Israel stated it planned to attack crossings to prevent transfer of reinforcements and weapons to frontlines.

The action effectively cut off a large part of southern Lebanon from the rest of the country.

Israeli strikes in central Beirut killed at least 12 people and wounded 41 others.

Casualties occurred in densely populated areas including Zuqaq al-Blat and Basta district.

Haaretz

Among the victims was Mohammad Sherri, director of Hezbollah's Al-Manar TV political programmes.

Sherri was killed along with his wife in one of the strikes in Zuqaq al-Blat.

One entire building collapsed into rubble in Bashoura after being struck at 4:00 am.

Lebanese authorities reported preliminary casualty figures of 12 dead from strikes on both areas.

Efforts were underway to identify those killed.

The strikes triggered condemnations regarding potential violations of international law.

“Katz says Israel struck two Litani bridges in 'message' to Lebanese state Israel's defense minister said the Israeli military had destroyed two bridges spanning the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Wednesday, alleging they were being used by Hezbollah”

Naharnet

Lebanese Information Minister Paul Morcos declared that 'targeting media professionals constitutes a flagrant violation of international law.'

Hezbollah responded forcefully to the killing of its media director.

Hezbollah condemned what it termed Israel's 'assassination' of Sherri as a 'deliberate attack.'

The Israeli military defended its actions by claiming the bridges were being used for military purposes.

No evacuation warnings were issued before the latest Beirut raid.

This contrasted with previous strikes where civilians had been warned to evacuate areas ahead of attacks.

Israeli forces launched attacks across multiple regions of Lebanon beyond the bridge destruction.

The military struck at least five gas stations belonging to the Al-Amana fuel company.

BBC

Israel claims the Al-Amana company finances Hezbollah.

Additional attacks hit Beirut's southern suburbs, which Israel has pounded since the start of the conflict.

Attacks also occurred in towns and villages across south Lebanon.

Hezbollah reported repelling an Israeli military advance attempt in Khiam.

Khiam is approximately six kilometres from the border and has witnessed fierce clashes recently.

The Israeli attacks caused significant displacement and trauma among Lebanese civilians.

“- Published Israeli air strikes have destroyed two bridges over the Litani River linking southern Lebanon with the rest of the country, the military says”

BBC

Survivors described harrowing experiences fleeing bombardment.

Haaretz

Sara Saleh, a 29-year-old woman displaced from Beirut's southern suburbs, recounted fleeing in pyjamas.

She and her family were sheltering in a school that was hit when a building collapsed at 4:00 am.

In Sidon, an Israeli strike hit a vehicle where many displaced people were staying.

The victims were sleeping in their cars near the main seaside road.

The broader context shows Lebanon war has left 'a classroom of children hurt or dead every day'.