A Hezbollah flag on ruins, after an Israeli strike on Shaath, in the Baalbeck district, on March 23, 2026. (Credit: Yara Nardi/Reuters)
BEIRUT — The Israeli army advanced on Monday in its invasion of southern Lebanon from multiple fronts, opening a new axis from Markaba (Marjayoun district) in the eastern sector, while destroying bridges over the Litani River to further isolate the area.
The developments came as Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the annexation of southern Lebanon up to the Litani River, saying the river should serve as Israel’s new border.
Near Beirut, an Israeli strike on an apartment in Hazmieh, a residential suburb east of the capital, killed one person. The Israeli army claimed it had targeted a member of the Quds Force of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.
In the South, Israeli strikes hit the Dalafa bridge, which links parts of southern Lebanon and the Bekaa, twice in the afternoon, according to L'Orient Today's correspondent in the area.
The bridge, atop the Litani River, connects the districts of Hasbaya and Marjayoun to Jezzine, West Bekaa, Chouf and Saida. It had already been destroyed during the 1982 Israeli invasion and bombed again in the July 2006 war.
Additional strikes targeted crossings along the Litani, including near the Zrarieh bridge and a passage on the road between Burj Rahal and Arzi (Saida). These attacks followed an order by Israel’s defense minister to destroy all bridges over the river.
The Qasmieh bridge on the coastal highway between Saida and Sour was also bombed twice on Sunday.
On the ground, Israeli forces appeared to open a new front in their invasion, entering from Markaba, where troops advanced under artillery cover while destroying homes.
Hezbollah fighters confronted the advancing forces with anti-tank missiles, and clashes were reported in the area. Israeli artillery fire also hit nearby villages, including Wadi Slouki, Majdal Selm and Beni Hayan.
Hezbollah said it carried out attacks against Israeli soldiers in several locations, including Taybeh (Marjayoun), Dhaira and Naqoura (Sour), and Maroun al-Ras (Bint Jbeil).
The situation was particularly tense in Naqoura, where Hezbollah targeted Israeli troops as they launched artillery fire on the village, including white phosphorus, and airstrikes. Israel also demolished homes in Naqoura, Khiam and Robb Thalathin (both Marjayoun).
Elsewhere in the South, Israeli strikes continued to hit Bint Jbeil and areas in the Nabatieh district, including Zawtar Sharqieh, the area between Sir al-Gharbieh and Kfar Sir, and Braikeh.
An Israeli drone strike on Majdal Selm killed a motorcycle driver, and an Israeli air strike on Haniyeh (Sour) killed another.
Hezbollah also intensified rocket fire on northern Israel. A strike on Kiryat Shmona seriously wounded one person. The Israeli army said a civilian killed the previous day in Misgav Am had been hit by Israeli artillery fire, following an internal investigation.
The Health Ministry said Israeli strikes have killed 1,039 people and wounded 2,876 since March 2. In the past 24 hours, 10 people were killed and 90 were wounded.
