Israel’s Defense Minister Israel Katz said he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have ordered the military to speed up the demolition of homes along the southern Lebanese border and to destroy all bridges over the Litani River, which links southern Lebanon with the rest of the country.
Katz said Israel’s goal is to sever Hezbollah’s supply lines, prevent the movement of the group’s weapons and to protect people living in the north of Israel.
“The IDF will continue to facilitate the evacuation of residents of southern Lebanon north of the Litani River from the war zone for their protection,” he said.
It comes as the Israeli military confirmed the destruction of two major bridges over the Litani River this week, effectively isolating civilians south of the river who were unable to evacuate before the strikes, while also cutting off food and medical supply routes.
This move marks a significant escalation in Israel’s war with Hezbollah, which has drawn international condemnation from human rights organizations and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), who said that the Israel’s blanket displacement orders in southern Lebanon may amount to unlawful forced displacement, which is prohibited under the Geneva Convention.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military said that it had “eliminated nine Hezbollah terrorists” in a joint ground and air operation in southern Lebanon on Saturday evening.
