Israel Strikes Key Lebanon Bridge, Stoking Fears of Major Ground Invasion
Israeli forces have destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge, a critical crossing over the Litani River on Lebanon's southern coastal highway, in a significant escalation of hostilities. Lebanese President Michel Aoun condemned the attack, warning it 'represents a dangerous escalation and flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty' and is a 'prelude to a ground invasion.' He asserted the strikes aim to sever the geographical link between southern Lebanon and the rest of the country, which he described as part of 'suspicious schemes to establish a buffer zone.' The Israeli military confirmed it has approved plans to expand ground and air attacks against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah. Defense Minister Israel Katz stated the army was ordered to destroy more bridges, a move analysts see as an effort to cut Hezbollah's supply lines. This action follows weeks of intense cross-border fire that began after Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in solidarity with Iranian allies, pulling Lebanon deeper into the regional conflict. Fears of a large-scale Israeli invasion are mounting within Lebanon, with residents in the north of Israel also being evacuated. Reports indicate the Israeli military has already launched new 'limited' ground operations. The escalation raises the specter of a conflict on the scale of the war in Gaza, with southern Lebanese towns bracing for a potential offensive. Amid the military buildup, Lebanese healthcare workers and officials have accused Israel of deliberately targeting medical facilities and personnel in south Lebanon through systematic 'double-tap' strikes. They allege this is part of a campaign to make the region uninhabitable, compounding the humanitarian crisis as the threat of a full-scale ground war looms.
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Sources
Lebanon's Aoun: IDF strikes on bridges a 'prelude to ground invasion' | The Jerusalem Post
According to Aoun, the attack "falls within suspicious schemes to establish a buffer zone," as he also warned of "the reality of occupation, and pursue Israeli expansion within Lebanese territories."
Israeli forces previously struck the Qasmiyeh Bridge, a critical crossing over the Litani River on Lebanon's southern coastal highway near Tyre which acts as a primary link between Sidon district and the area south of the river. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the strikes, calling ...
Israel to advance ground operations in Lebanon after striking key bridge - AL-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent since 2012
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun had earlier warned the bridge attacks "represent a dangerous escalation and flagrant violation of Lebanon's sovereignty, and are considered a prelude to a ground invasion." Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East war when Hezbollah began firing rockets into Israel on ...
Loud booms, smoke clouds: Israel bombs Qasmiya Bridge, Lebanon's key crossing link | Video | World News
Aoun said, "targeting bridges over the Litani River... is an attempt to sever the geographical link between the area south of the Litani and the rest of Lebanon's territory". Israeli defence minister Israel Katz on Sunday said that the army had been ordered to destroy more bridges over the ...
The Israeli military says plans for the expansion of ground and air attacks against the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah have been approved, amid fears in Lebanon that Israel is preparing a large-scale ground invasion of the country.
Fears are growing in the country, ... a broad invasion of Lebanon's south. Al Omar and her children lived in the Beirut suburb of Dahieh, a stronghold for Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah that has been exchanging fire with Israel amid the wider conflict consuming the region since Feb. 28. ... But this week, the Israeli military launched new "limited" ground operations ...
Soon after the United States and Israel attacked Iran, Hezbollah—a paramilitary group and a political party that wields tremendous power in Lebanon, and is an Iranian proxy—struck back, firing missiles at Israel. Israel retaliated with strikes and a “limited” ground invasion of southern ...
Ground report: Israel hits key Lebanon bridge, targets Hezbollah supply lines - India Today
The strike follows Iran’s attack ... against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, raising fears of a Gaza-like escalation. Residents in northern Israel have been asked to evacuate, key areas are being cut off from the rest of the country, and there is growing speculation that the IDF may be preparing for a ground invasion...
Israel deliberately targeting medical facilities in south Lebanon, say health workers | Lebanon | The Guardian
Damage following Israel's attack on Nabatieh on 5 March. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images ... Medics and officials say there is systematic use of double-tap strikes in campaign to make the south uninhabitable ... Lebanese healthcare workers and officials say Israeli bombings have deliberately targeted medical workers and facilities in south Lebanon...
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