Israel Destroys Zrarieh Bridge Over Litani River in Southern Lebanon

Israel struck and destroyed the Zrarieh Bridge spanning the Litani River in southern Lebanon, saying the bridge was being used by Hezbollah fighters to move between north and south, though multiple outlets report the military provided no evidence for that claim.

“Israel has destroyed a bridge in southern Lebanon and dropped leaflets over Beirut warning the country faces the same scale of destruction visited upon Gaza, as its military campaign against Hezbollah enters a devastating new phase”

Al Jazeera

Al Jazeera described the strike and said the Israeli military "claiming Hezbollah fighters were using it to move between the country’s north and south, though it offered no evidence to support this."

Al Jazeera

CNA reported "Israel destroyed a bridge in southern Lebanon ... saying it struck the Zrarieh Bridge ... claiming it was being used by Hezbollah militants to move between Lebanon's north and south" and noted the military "provided no evidence for the claim."

The Globe and Mail also recorded that "Israel’s military said it struck the Zrarieh Bridge spanning the Litani River early on Friday, claiming it was being used by Hezbollah militants to move between Lebanon’s north and south. The military provided no evidence for the claim."

Israel also dropped leaflets over Beirut warning of "Gaza-scale" destruction and urging Lebanese citizens to disarm Hezbollah, language many residents interpreted as an explicit threat that invokes Israel’s campaign in Gaza.

Al Jazeera reported leaflets "warning the country faces the same scale of destruction visited upon Gaza" and that another flyer called on Lebanese to strip Hezbollah of its weapons.

Al-Jazeera Net

The New York Times said leaflets "referenced Israel’s 'success in Gaza' and urged Lebanese citizens to disarm Hezbollah," noting one leaflet styled like a newspaper called the Gaza campaign "a remarkable success."

The Detroit News published the flyer text directly: "In light of the great success in Gaza, the newspaper of the new reality arrives to Lebanon," and said some flyers included QR codes linking to WhatsApp and Facebook.

Reporting on the human toll and displacement shows discrepancies across outlets: Al Jazeera cited Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Health saying Israeli attacks "have killed at least 773 people and wounded 1,933 more, including 103 children" and that "more than 800,000 people" have been forced from their homes, while other outlets reported slightly different figures.

“Israel destroys bridge in Lebanon, threatens Gaza-scale destruction Israel continued strikes in Lebanon and dropped leaflets warning of Gaza-scale devastation as fighting with Hezbollah escalates”

CNA

The New York Times said strikes "have killed nearly 800 people and displaced more than 800,000," CNA wrote strikes "have killed nearly 700 people and uprooted 800,000 more," and vijesti.me referenced a statement that "a total of 773 people have been killed" and "more than 1.900 people have been injured."

These variations reflect either reporting differences or evolving counts from Lebanese authorities cited by the outlets.

Israeli officials framed the strike as part of a campaign to impose "increasing costs" on Lebanon while threatening to target infrastructure, statements that analysts and multiple outlets say are meant to pressure the Lebanese government against Hezbollah.

Al Jazeera quoted Defence Minister Israel Katz saying the Lebanese government would face "increasing costs through damage to infrastructure and loss of territory" for as long as Hezbollah remained armed.

Devdiscourse

The New York Times cited analysts who said Israeli officials have "increasingly invoked the devastation in Gaza as part of a broader effort to 'threaten and pressure Lebanon'" and CNA repeated Israel's warning of "more attacks on the country's infrastructure."

The military escalation has produced urgent humanitarian needs and international appeals, but reporting shows discrepancies in aid figures and highlights strains on Lebanon's capacity to host displaced people.

“Arabic version:إسرائيل تدمر جسرًا لبنانيًا، وتهدد بمزيد من الدمار Israel has destroyed the Zrarieh Bridge in southern Lebanon and dropped leaflets over Beirut warning the country faces the same scale of destruction visited upon Gaza, as its military campaign against Hezbollah enters a devastating new phase”

Oz Arab Media

CNA and The Detroit News quoted UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres seeking emergency funding — CNA wrote he said he was seeking "US$325 million in emergency funding" while The Detroit News reported he was seeking "$308 million."

Oz Arab Media

The Detroit News and CNA both quoted Lebanon's Interior Minister saying shelters cannot accommodate all the displaced: "No matter how many shelters are opened in Beirut, they cannot accommodate all the displaced," Al-Hajjar said.

The Globe and Mail also reported Guterres' call for "solidarity in action."