IDF Strikes Key Bridges Over Lebanon’s Litani River Used by Hezbollah

Latest Developments

• IDF Hits Bridges Used by Hezbollah: The IDF said on March 18 that it had struck at least two bridges crossing the Litani River in Lebanon. According to Israel, “Hezbollah … uses these crossings to transfer thousands of weapons, rockets, and rocket launchers” for attacks against Israel. 
• Ground Operations Expand: The army said that its forces had “deepened the focused ground activity to an additional target in southern Lebanon” and that since the start of the ground maneuver against Hezbollah, which began last weekend, Israeli troops had eliminated “dozens of terrorists.” On March 19, the IDF reported that soldiers had eliminated five Hezbollah terrorists after they tried to launch an anti-tank missile at Israeli forces and confiscated several weapons, including rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), anti-tank rockets, ammunition, a rifle, and “other military equipment.”
• Israel Strengthens Forces: Israel has more than doubled the number of troops deployed along its border with Lebanon, according to an Israeli commander speaking to Reuters. The commander stated that Israeli forces are launching targeted raids into evacuated border communities in southern Lebanon. “The plan is to make sure Hezbollah does not have military infrastructure,” the commander said, adding that soldiers were searching the villages “to see if Hezbollah hid weapons or communications centers.”

FDD Expert Response

“Israel’s objectives in Lebanon are starting to appear far narrower than the maximalist goal of disarming Hezbollah expressed by many Israeli officials. Instead, there seems to be a tacit admission that the group will remain a Lebanese phenomenon for the foreseeable future. The IDF is therefore seeking to mitigate the harm Hezbollah can inflict upon Israel by clearing the organization from the Southern Litani Area as a precursor to setting up a territorially more limited, but temporally open-ended, security zone along the Blue Line.” — David Daoud, Senior Fellow

“The Lebanese state has repeatedly found excuses to avoid disarming Hezbollah — whether citing Israel’s presence or its military campaigns. Yet despite Hezbollah dragging Lebanon into two wars in three years, and the devastation caused by the 2023-2024 conflict, Beirut has shown little willingness to act. As a result, Israel may feel compelled to take matters into its own hands. While this is no easy task, it can at a minimum seek to neutralize the threat to its northern communities through a ground operation.” — Ahmad Sharawi, Senior Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“Syria Can Squeeze Hezbollah, But Caution Is Necessary,” by David Daoud and Ahmad Sharawi

“Time for Lebanon to Partner with Israel Against Hezbollah,” by Hussain Abdul-Hussain

“‘Targeted Ground Operation’: IDF Expands Offensive in Southern Lebanon,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel’s Post-October 7 Doctrine Comes to South Lebanon,” by Mark Dubowitz