Israel’s Minister of Defense announced today that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will intensify operational activities in southern Lebanon, authorizing the destruction of additional bridges and key infrastructure routes near the border.
Speaking during a security briefing at the Kirya military headquarters in Tel Aviv, the Minister stated that the measure is designed to disrupt logistical routes and limit the operational mobility of hostile actors in the region. The announcement signals a significant escalation in ongoing efforts to establish a buffer zone and enforce security arrangements along the volatile northern frontier.
“The bridges targeted are being utilized as strategic conduits for the transfer of munitions and the movement of armed personnel toward Israeli territory,” the Defense Minister said. “We will not allow the reconstruction of a military infrastructure that threatens the citizens of Israel. The IDF will continue to operate with full force to remove any threat, including through the systematic dismantling of critical infrastructure utilized by our enemies.”
Military sources confirmed that engineering units have already prepared demolition charges for several key crossings over the Litani River and surrounding valleys. Officials described the operation as part of a broader strategy to enforce the terms of the ceasefire understanding and to ensure that southern Lebanon remains clear of unauthorized military presence.
The announcement has drawn immediate international attention. A spokesperson for the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) expressed concern over the escalation, calling for restraint and urging all parties to adhere to existing security arrangements. The Lebanese government has yet to issue an official statement, though local reports from the region indicate heightened tensions and civilian displacement in villages near the planned demolition sites.
The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the cabinet was briefed on the operation, adding that Israel maintains the right to self-defense and will continue to take necessary actions to prevent threats from materializing on its borders.
“We are in a new phase of security reality in the north,” the Defense Minister concluded. “Our message is clear: any attempt to re-establish a military foothold near our border will be met with overwhelming force, including the permanent removal of the infrastructure that supports it.”
The IDF stated that efforts would be made to provide advance warnings to civilians in the immediate vicinity of the targeted structures to minimize collateral damage.