News|Israel attacks LebanonIsrael destroys bridge in Lebanon and threatens Gaza-scale devastationIsraeli attacks since early March have killed 773 in Lebanon as military expands assault to more Beirut neighbourhoods.
Israel has conducted military operations in southern Lebanon , including the destruction of the Zrarieh Bridge over the Litani River on Friday. This action is part of an ongoing campaign against Hezbollah.
Israel has conducted military operations in southern Lebanon , including the destruction of the Zrarieh Bridge over the Litani River on Friday. This action is part of an ongoing campaign against Hezbollah.
The Israeli military stated that the bridge was used by Hezbollah fighters for movement across the country, although no evidence was provided to support this claim. This marks the first time Israel has publicly acknowledged targeting civilian infrastructure during the current offensive.
Defense Minister Israel Katz indicated that such operations would continue, emphasizing that the Lebanese government would incur further infrastructure damage and territorial loss as long as Hezbollah remains armed.
On Friday, Israeli forces targeted new areas in Beirut, including the Bourj Hammoud district and the Jnah and Nabaa neighborhoods. Casualty reports include nine fatalities in Arki near Sidon and eight in the Fawwar area. An ambulance in the south was also hit.
Israel has conducted military operations in southern Lebanon , including the destruction of the Zrarieh Bridge over the Litani River on Friday.
The offensive commenced on March 2, following Hezbollah's drone and rocket attacks on northern Israel, which were in response to Israeli operations in Iran. As of the latest reports, the Lebanese Ministry of Public Health has confirmed at least 773 fatalities and 1,933 injuries, including 103 children. The conflict has displaced over 800,000 individuals.
Israel has distributed leaflets over Beirut, referencing its military strategy in Gaza as a potential model for Lebanon. One leaflet included QR codes for WhatsApp and Facebook, urging Lebanese citizens to disarm Hezbollah. The Lebanese army has warned against scanning these QR codes due to potential security risks.
Lebanon is experiencing significant displacement challenges, with Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar indicating that the state's capacity to accommodate displaced individuals is overwhelmed. The Norwegian Refugee Council has stated that the country is nearing a breaking point, with evacuation orders affecting 1,470 square kilometers, including south Lebanon and parts of Beirut.
Conditions in shelters are reported to be dire, with overcrowded facilities and inadequate sanitation. UN agencies have highlighted the displacement of 11,600 pregnant women, with many lacking access to medical care. Additionally, 55 healthcare facilities have been forced to close.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Beirut on Friday, calling for $308 million in emergency humanitarian aid. A group of independent UN human rights experts has criticized the evacuation orders as "blatantly illegal" and warned that the forced displacement, coupled with heavy bombardment, could constitute a war crime.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.
