Jerusalem, Israel. Israel’s defence minister said the military has been ordered to destroy all bridges over Lebanon’s Litani River and to step up the demolition of Lebanese homes near the Israeli border. The statement came as Israel reported its first civilian death linked to fire from Lebanon in the current war.
Orders targeting bridges and homes
Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military had been instructed to destroy all bridges over the Litani River used for what he called “terrorist activity,” with the stated aim of preventing Hezbollah militants and weapons from moving south. He also said the military was ordered to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese homes in “frontline villages” to neutralize threats to Israeli communities.
Katz said the approach was similar to the model used in Beit Hanoun and Rafah in Gaza, where the military created buffer zones by clearing and demolishing buildings near the border. His office said the remarks were made during a meeting with the military chief of staff and other senior officials.
Border incident and casualties
Earlier, an Israeli was killed in his car near the border with Lebanon after what the military described as a “launch” from Lebanese territory. It was the first Israeli civilian death linked to fire from Lebanon in the current war. Two Israeli soldiers have also been killed in fighting in southern Lebanon.
International law and UN criticism
International law generally prohibits militaries from attacking civilian infrastructure, and the United Nations human rights chief has criticised Israel’s actions in Lebanon, particularly its use of widespread evacuation orders.
Military operations in southern Lebanon
Israel has carried out an intensive bombing campaign on southern Lebanon and areas of Beirut targeting Hezbollah, after the Iran-backed militant group opened fire on Israel in response to Israel’s killing of Iran’s supreme leader.
On March 13, the military destroyed a bridge over the Litani River for the first time in the current war, saying it was used by Hezbollah, and destroyed two more bridges on March 18. Israeli soldiers have also carried out what the military describes as ground maneuvers and targeted raids on villages that it says are targeting Hezbollah militants and weapons.
Israeli officials say the air and ground campaigns are aimed at protecting residents in northern Israel near the Lebanese border from Hezbollah attacks. More than 1,000 people in Lebanon have been killed so far and hundreds of thousands have been displaced.
How do Israel’s stated military objectives align with international law governing attacks on civilian infrastructure?
