This photo taken on March 22, 2026 shows an explosion during an Israeli airstrike on a bridge over the Litani River in Qasmiyeh, southern Lebanon. Israeli warplanes struck the strategic Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported, as Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes across the region. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
BEIRUT/JERUSALEM, March 22 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes struck the strategic Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported, as Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes across the region.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, saying they targeted Hezbollah positions along the river, Lebanon's longest at roughly 170 kilometers, which has long served as a key geographic boundary in past conflicts with the group.
Lebanese security sources told Xinhua that Israeli jets fired three air-to-surface missiles at the crossing, sending columns of fire and smoke into the sky.
The strikes followed a Hezbollah rocket attack earlier Sunday that killed an Israeli civilian near the Israel-Lebanon border, the first such death since recent U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. Two Israeli soldiers were also killed in Lebanon earlier this month.
Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the military to "immediately" destroy all bridges over the Litani used by Hezbollah. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee urged residents on X to evacuate and move north of the Zahrani River ahead of the Qasmiyeh strike.
Analysts said targeting the river's bridges could signal a potential expansion of Israel's ground operations in southern Lebanon.
On Sunday afternoon, an Israeli force of several armored vehicles advanced toward the Tal al-Nahas axis south of Marjayoun, about 2 km inside Lebanese territory, Lebanese security sources said. The advance was preceded by heavy artillery shelling on Qlayaa, Burj al-Muluk, Deir Mimas, and the Khiam plain.
Also on Sunday, Israel said it killed Abu Khalil Barji, commander of Hezbollah's elite Radwan Force, in a strike on Saturday near Majdal Selm. Barji, a longtime Radwan commander, died alongside two other Hezbollah militants.
Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health said an Israeli airstrike on al-Sultaniyah in the Bint Jbeil district killed three people and wounded three others, while a strike on al-Sawaneh in Marjayoun killed one person and wounded four. Since March 2, Israeli attacks have killed 1,029 people and injured 2,786 others, the ministry added on Sunday.
Intensive Israeli airstrikes have hit southern Lebanon and parts of Beirut since cross-border fire resumed earlier this month, following Hezbollah rockets in retaliation for Israel's killing of Iranian former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. ■
This photo taken on March 22, 2026 shows an explosion during an Israeli airstrike on a bridge over the Litani River in Qasmiyeh, southern Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes struck the strategic Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported, as Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes across the region. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
This photo taken on March 22, 2026 shows an explosion during an Israeli airstrike on a bridge over the Litani River in Qasmiyeh, southern Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes struck the strategic Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported, as Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes across the region. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
This photo taken on March 22, 2026 shows the site of an Israeli airstrike on a bridge over the Litani River in Qasmiyeh, southern Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes struck the strategic Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported, as Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes across the region. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
This photo taken on March 22, 2026 shows the site of an Israeli airstrike on a bridge over the Litani River in Qasmiyeh, southern Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes struck the strategic Qasmiyeh Bridge over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanon's National News Agency reported, as Israel launched a new wave of airstrikes across the region. (Photo by Ali Hashisho/Xinhua)
