The spokesperson of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Avichay Adraee, stated yesterday that, with the aim of preventing the transfer of systems, equipment, and personnel by Hezbollah into southern Lebanon, the Israeli military has launched strikes against (small) bridges crossing the Litani River. As early as March 13, the Israeli Air Force had already struck and partially destroyed a bridge in the area of the village of Zrarieh; yesterday afternoon, additional bridges were targeted, including one in the Qasmiyeh area.

At the same time, Israel struck several fuel stations located in villages across southern Lebanon - Zarifeh, Deir Kanoun al-Nahr, Beit Yahoun, and Burj al-Shamali - all linked to Al-Amana, a chain directly managed by Hezbollah and an integral part of the group’s logistical and supply infrastructure.

This development represents another step in the escalation between Israel and Hezbollah within the broader Middle Eastern conflict. Over the past two weeks, the two sides have resumed daily exchanges: rockets and drones launched toward northern Israel on one side, and heavy Israeli bombardments across southern Lebanon, the Bekaa Valley, and the southern suburbs of Beirut (and beyond) on the other.

Alongside the air campaign, the IDF have initiated initial ground operations along the border, particularly from forward positions maintained inside Lebanese territory even after the November 2024 ceasefire. Israeli forces currently deployed in southern Lebanon include units from the 91st Reserve Division GALILEE, the 210th Division BASHAN (with elements of the 810th Mountain Brigade), the 146th Reserve Division, and the 162nd Division - particularly elements of the 401st Armored Brigade and the 84th Infantry Brigade GIVATI. Elements of the 7th Armored Brigade SAAR (part of the 36th Division) are also operating in the Rab al-Thalathine area.

In recent days, the IDF have also begun issuing evacuation orders, instructing the population to move north of the Zahrani River, located approximately 15 km north of the Litani. This suggests that ground operations could soon expand further and that the buffer zone Israel intends to establish will likely be deeper than those attempted in previous conflicts.

For its part, over the past two weeks Hezbollah has also continued to strike northern Israel regularly. On the ground, it has managed to inflict casualties on Israeli forces: two combat engineers from the 91st Reserve Division were killed during an anti-tank team attack near the border with the Israeli village of Manara.

This raises a series of questions regarding Hezbollah’s current operational resilience following the events between September and November 2024: the pager operation, the killing of Hezbollah’s long-time leader Hassan Nasrallah, and the devastating Israeli ground operations in southern Lebanon, which leveled much of the area along the Blue Line.

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