Israel Orders Destruction of Litani River Bridges as Qasmiyeh Crossing Hit

On 22/03/2026, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued orders for the immediate destruction of all bridges spanning the Litani River in southern Lebanon, as part of an expanded military campaign aimed at severing Hezbollah supply routes. Later the same day, Israeli warplanes struck and destroyed the Qasmiyeh Bridge on Lebanon’s southern coastal highway near Tyre. The crossing is one of the main routes linking areas south of the Litani River with the rest of the country, and its destruction followed the directive to block the movement of reinforcements and weapons toward southern Lebanon. Lebanese media and international reports described the strike as targeting a logistical corridor used for civilian and military transit between Sidon, Tyre, and surrounding districts. The bridge strike occurred alongside a broader escalation of Israeli operations in southern Lebanon. Israeli forces intensified airstrikes and demolition activities in villages near the frontier, with Israeli officials describing the measures as preparation for advancing ground operations and creating a buffer zone north of the Israeli border. Israeli military leadership indicated that operations against Hezbollah would continue, while additional strikes reportedly targeted Hezbollah positions and infrastructure across southern Lebanon on the same day. Lebanese political leaders responded with diplomatic accusations and warnings of escalation. Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam stated in media interviews on 22/03/2026 that Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps was directly managing Hezbollah’s military operations, alleging the presence of Iranian personnel operating with forged passports and coordinating battlefield actions. Salam also referred to public statements by the IRGC describing joint operations, which he cited as evidence of Iranian involvement. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the destruction of infrastructure across the Litani River, calling the bridge strikes a dangerous escalation and a violation of Lebanese sovereignty. Officials also expressed concern that cutting crossings over the Litani River could isolate communities south of the river and disrupt civilian movement and humanitarian access during ongoing hostilities.