Israel Orders Military to Intensify Demolitions in Southern Lebanon
The New York Times • • world
Key Points:
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has ordered the military to intensify destruction of bridges over the Litani River and demolish houses in southern Lebanon, aiming to disrupt Hezbollah's reinforcement routes.
- The military actions risk cutting off southern Lebanon from the rest of the country, affecting civilians who use these routes to flee north for safety.
- The offensive has already resulted in over 1,000 deaths and displaced more than a million people in Lebanon, with Israeli forces advancing to establish a buffer zone near the border.
- This escalation follows years of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, including recent retaliatory attacks after Israel and the U.S. killed Iran’s leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
- The destruction model referenced by Katz resembles past Israeli military tactics used in Gaza, raising fears of a possible occupation of parts of southern Lebanon.
