Lebanon's National News Agency (NNA) reported today that Israel carried out "two consecutive airstrikes" targeting the Qasmiyeh bridge. This bridge connects the coastal city of Sidon with Tyre in the south, and the structure was completely destroyed. The NNA added that "before this wave of airstrikes, a drone also conducted two attacks near that bridge".

Video from the scene showed a series of large explosions, with massive plumes of smoke billowing amidst the grasslands.

Qasmiyeh bridge in Lebanon attacked on 16/4. *Video: Al Jadeed News*.

The Israeli military denied "targeting" the bridge, but confirmed it had attacked "the vicinity".

The Litani river divides Lebanon, flowing into the Mediterranean Sea approximately 70 km south of the capital Beirut, and is the country's most important river. Before this attack, Qasmiyeh was the last intact bridge spanning the Litani river. Its destruction means that the entire region of southern Lebanon has been cut off from the rest of the country.

Israel has intensified its airstrikes in southern Lebanon in recent days, even as regional officials advocate for direct communication between the two countries' leaders to end the violence. General Eyal Zamir, commander of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), on 15/4 instructed soldiers to turn residential areas south of the Litani river into a "forbidden zone for Hezbollah".

The scene at Qasmiyeh bridge in Lebanon, damaged after an airstrike on 16/4. *Photo: Reuters*.

International human rights organizations have repeatedly warned that Israeli attacks on essential civilian infrastructure—which people in Lebanon rely on for medical services, food, and aid—could constitute "war crimes".

From 12/3 to 8/4, the IDF "systematically destroyed or severely damaged all major bridges" connecting the area south of the Litani river with the rest of Lebanon, according to Human Rights Watch (HRW). This made the Qasmiyeh bridge the "only major river crossing still operational" as of 10/4.

"The airstrikes have severely restricted the safe movement of civilians, and hindered state agencies, humanitarian organizations, hospitals, and medical facilities from providing aid and medical care," HRW stated.

Location of the Litani river. *Graphic: ACLED*.

An anonymous senior Israeli official stated on 15/4 that the country's security cabinet had met to discuss the possibility of a one-week ceasefire in Lebanon.

According to Israel's Channel 12 television, Washington is also pressuring Tel Aviv to agree to this ceasefire. They hope this step will facilitate US-backed negotiations between Israel and Lebanon, as well as Washington's efforts to reach an agreement to end the conflict with Tehran.

By Huyen Le (According to CNN, AFP)