Lebanese President Aoun Warns of Potential Israeli Ground Invasion

Israeli Forces Launch Attack on Qasmiyeh Bridge in Southern Lebanon

An Israeli military strike hit the Qasmiyeh Bridge in southern Lebanon on Sunday, targeting a key crossing that links the country’s south to the rest of the territory. The bridge is one of several civilian infrastructure targets attacked by Israel in an escalation of its campaign against Hezbollah.

The attack came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to destroy all crossings over the Litani River and homes close to the border between Lebanon and Israel. President Joseph Aoun described the strike as a “prelude to ground invasion”.

According to Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, head of the Israeli army, the operation against Hezbollah has only begun and will be prolonged. The Israeli military is preparing to advance targeted ground operations and strikes according to an organised plan.

The Lebanese government has outlawed Hezbollah military activity and expressed a desire to engage in direct talks with Israel. However, earlier this month, Katz warned the Lebanese government that it would face infrastructure damage and territorial losses unless Hezbollah was disarmed.

Human rights experts have raised concerns about the impact of the attacks on civilians. Ramzi Kaiss, a researcher at Human Rights Watch, stated that destroying homes in southern Lebanon wholesale would amount to wanton destruction, which is a war crime. He also noted that international law requires armed actors to take into account civilian harm caused by strikes on infrastructure.

The conflict has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement, with four people killed and 1,029 reported dead, as well as over one million displaced, according to the Lebanese Health Ministry.

Source: Al Jazeera