Lebanon-Israel Conflict: Aoun Condemns Strikes as Invasion Prelude

Israeli forces attacked the Qasmiyeh Bridge in southern Lebanon on Sunday, prompting Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to warn that the strikes are “a prelude to a ground invasion.” The bridge, a key crossing linking Lebanon’s south to the rest of the country, was targeted as Israel announced plans to expand its military campaign against Hezbollah.

President Aoun “condemned Israel’s targeting and destruction of infrastructure and vital facilities in southern Lebanon, particularly the Qasmiyeh bridge over the Litani River and other bridges,” according to a statement released by his office. He characterized the attacks as “a dangerous escalation and flagrant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty.”

The strikes came after Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered the military to destroy all crossings over the Litani River and homes close to the border. The Litani River runs approximately 30 kilometers north of the Israeli border. Katz too instructed the military to “accelerate the demolition of Lebanese houses in the contact villages in order to thwart threats to Israeli communities,” according to statements released Sunday.

Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, an Israeli military official, stated that the operation against Hezbollah “has only begun” and described it as a “prolonged operation.” Brigadier General Effie Defrin, a military spokesperson, added that the expansion of ground operations would begin within the coming week.

The escalation follows a period of heightened tensions that began on March 2, when Hezbollah initiated rocket attacks into Israel in response to the Israeli-US killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Israel has since carried out extensive airstrikes in Lebanon and sent troops into southern Lebanese territory.

Lebanese official media reported Israeli raids in several areas of the south, with an AFP correspondent witnessing smoke rising from the damaged Qasmiyeh bridge outside Tyre. Earlier this week, Israel had already attacked two other bridges spanning the Litani River, alleging their use by Hezbollah.

According to Lebanese health authorities, four people have been killed in strikes in southern Lebanon over the past three weeks, with more than one million displaced. Israel’s ZAKA 360 emergency response unit reported one fatality in northern Israel after a rocket strike on a vehicle. Hezbollah claimed responsibility for attacks targeting Israeli soldiers and vehicles in border areas, including Taybeh and Khiam.

Israel has warned residents of southern Lebanon to evacuate and indicated its intention to establish a buffer zone within Lebanese territory. Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee of Ireland described the developments as “deeply worrying,” calling for de-escalation and emphasizing the need to protect UNIFIL personnel and preserve regional stability. She urged all parties to “step back, de-escalate, halt attacks and create the space for dialogue.”

As of Sunday, no official response from Hezbollah regarding the intensified Israeli strikes had been issued beyond claims of attacks on Israeli targets.