Critical bridges across Lebanon's Litani River targeted in calculated invasion plan The Israeli military's expanded operation in southern Lebanon has seen the systematic destruction of key bridges spanning the Litani River and its tributaries, according to a detailed analysis by ABC NEWS Verify. The campaign, which began at least 12 days prior, has left critical infrastructure in ruins, cutting off access to essential services and trapping residents in evacuation zones. The Litani River, which flows from central Lebanon to the south, has become a focal point of the conflict. Four major bridges—Qasmiyeh, Khardali, Qaaqaaiyeh, and Zrarieh-Tayr Felsay—were identified as vital for connecting the country’s core to the south. All have reportedly been damaged or destroyed, with Israeli strikes targeting locations as far north as the Dlafy Bridge. The destruction of these crossings has left communities in the south without reliable routes to evacuate or receive aid, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to secure southern Lebanon, from the Israeli border to the Litani River, during a March 24 briefing. This move aligns with the military’s broader strategy to establish control over the region, which has seen intensified strikes and evacuation orders displacing residents. The United Nations International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that up to 1 million Lebanese people have been internally displaced due to the conflict, with many forced to flee their homes in the south and Beirut. The targeting of bridges began on March 12, with the Qantara Bridge, a small crossing over a tributary of the Litani, being the first to be destroyed.#israeli_military #lebanese_president_joseph_aoun #litani_river #qasmiyeh_bridge #khardali_bridge
