Isolating parts of South Lebanon: Israel cuts key routes with bridge attacks

Report by Lara El Hachem, English adaptation by Yasmine Jaroudi  

Israeli strikes targeting crossings over the Litani River have intensified, with attacks on key bridges in South Lebanon disrupting movement and signaling 'escalating warning messages.'

The campaign appeared to begin with a strike on a secondary coastal bridge in Qasmiyeh, which Israeli authorities had warned could be targeted, alleging Hezbollah was using it to transport military equipment.

LBCI crew was on-site shortly before the strike, which ultimately destroyed the bridge. Two journalists from RT were reported to have sustained minor injuries.

The message conveyed by the strike appeared clear: access to the secondary bridge is now effectively prohibited. The Lebanese Army, which maintains a fixed position near the site, has not withdrawn.

Meanwhile, the main Qasmiyeh bridge, a vital artery connecting Sidon and Tyre, remains open.

The strike was not an isolated incident. The Qaaqaaiyet El Jisr bridge, which connects the Nabatieh District and Bint Jbeil District, was hit by two missiles on Wednesday and is now unusable. A subsequent airstrike on a nearby dirt road about 500 meters east of the bridge reinforced the warning on Thursday and further restricted movement.

As a result, routes between Nabatieh and Bint Jbeil have been cut off from multiple directions. 

In addition to the Qaaqaaiyet El Jisr, Israeli forces had previously destroyed the Tayr Felsay bridge, which connects the same areas via Tyre and the Zahrani River. Access to the Marjayoun District is also already blocked due to Israeli presence in Kfarkela and Odaisseh.

At this stage, the only remaining route from Nabatieh to Bint Jbeil requires a detour toward Tyre.

The strikes form part of a broader pattern. Earlier, the Israeli army targeted roads, including Khardali road, which connects Marjayoun to Nabatieh, and Dibbine road, linking Hasbaya to Marjayoun, both of which were later reopened. 

However, the Qantara bridge, which links Qantara to Taybeh and Rab El Thalathine to Wadi al-Hujeir, remains closed, while the nearby town of Taybeh has been facing attempts of ground incursions in recent days.

Hezbollah said it destroyed six Israeli tanks in an ambush early Thursday.

Lebanese officials are treating these developments as serious warning signs, though they acknowledge there is no guarantee that a broader escalation can be avoided.