Lebanons Aoun warns Israeli attack on bridge prelude to ground invasion

Al Jazeera English · ⏱ 3:06 · 28K مشاهدة · 2 months ago

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Israel is waging war on another front in Lebanon. Israeli air strikes in the south of the country have killed at least four people on Sunday. It's also trying to destroy transportation links between the north and the south. The Israeli army has been ordered to target bridges bridges crossing the Litani River. It says they're being used by Hezbollah and that they need to be destroyed to prevent attacks on northern Israel. Ben Smith is in Beirut for us. second attack on on the bridge. Then tell us about it. Well, that's essentially completely destroyed that bridge, Richard, cutting tire off from the rest of Lebanon. There are some other bridges much further across the Litani, but in no way really is there an effective way of linking now and it efficient and quick way of linking tire to the rest of Lebanon. Significantly, it's worth remarking that in 2024, the last time Israel and Hezbollah fought, Israel did not target major infrastructure like this. It's an indication of the different way that Israel is approaching this conflict. There is more intensity from their side, more air strikes from their side, and they're going for this infrastructure. marked change from 2024. Now, President Joseph Aoun has been talking about this. What has he been saying about the destruction of these bridges and what they signify ultimately? Well, he's called it dangerous violation violation of Lebanon's sovereignty and he is clear that this is precursor for an Israeli ground invasion. But Hezbollah has also been fighting back. They really are in the last sort of couple of days you've had dozens of claims of attacks and strikes day. We know that Israel and Hezbollah have been fighting on the ground for this very strategically important town of Hiyam. Strategically important for Israel to get because it will help cut off Hezbollah's supply lines from the east, from the Bekaa to the south. And also strategically important for Hezbollah to hang on to because of its view over southern Lebanon and over Israel. And significantly, Hezbollah has exacted casualty from the Israeli military on the Israeli side of the border as it is. That's the first time they've done that. Rocket fire from Hezbollah, meaning they're close up on that border friend on that border fence killing an Israeli soldier on the other side. So significant change or significant step up in Hezbollah's counterattack against Israel. And also worth noting that while Israel Katz says he's destroying they're going to destroy these border villages along the Lebanese border, well, they've already pretty much destroyed them since 2024. There was ceasefire repeatedly violated by Israel. And during those ceasefire violations, they destroyed already those border villages and those homes in those villages. Richard. Bernard, thanks. Bernard Smith there in Beirut.