Israel has widened its military operations in Lebanon, forcing more than a million people from their homes.
The strikes have increasingly targeted residential buildings in Beirut and the surrounding areas, and have expanded to key bridges in southern Lebanon and the western Bekaa Valley, which are vital for daily transportation and commercial activity.
Israel has also threatened attacks on the Al-Masnaa border crossing with Syria while continuing ground incursions in southern Lebanon.
No official Lebanese reports have yet confirmed the depth of these incursions.
Political solutions are at a deadlock amid Lebanese anticipation over negotiations involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, which could lead to a cease-fire in Lebanon and elsewhere.
Meanwhile, Israel has not responded to a direct negotiation initiative launched by Lebanese President Joseph Aoun, nor has any serious international diplomatic effort been reported to have effectively mediated the conflict. Lebanese officials, who preferred to remain anonymous, told The New Arab that Aoun continues "contacts with influential countries to pressure Israel to halt its attacks and to open humanitarian corridors to deliver food and medical supplies to villages under bombardment in the south . Lebanon also maintains its condemnation of Israeli attacks targeting civilians, medical personnel, journalists, institutions, and critical infrastructure."
The officials added that "Lebanon has made multiple international appeals to prevent Israel from attacking the Al-Masnaa crossing. So far, these efforts have succeeded, but there are no guarantees with Israel, which could carry out attacks at any time."
They stressed that "security measures remain in place at the crossing. All Israeli claims are false. The crossing operates officially, with strict security enforced by both Lebanese and Syrian authorities, in coordination to control the border."
On Monday, 6 April, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez that Israel's invasion under the pretext of establishing a "buffer zone" or "security belt" is entirely unacceptable and called for a full Israeli withdrawal from Lebanese territory.
Security and military analyst Brig. Gen. Naji Malaeb told The New Arab that "Israel's threats against Al-Masnaa and its attacks on bridges aim to disrupt movement and control Hezbollah's supply lines."
He said Israel is unlikely to advance into the Beka'a Valley via Mount Hermon inside Syrian territory, though opening a second front to occupy Hezbollah remains a possibility.
"Israel may be seeking an economic and land blockade not only on Hezbollah but also on Lebanon as a whole, noting that Al-Masnaa is a key crossing for both population movement and commercial trade," Malaeb added.
Malaeb stressed the economic and land siege, linking it to Israel's targeting of bridges over the Litani River, including the Mashghara and Sahmar bridges in the western Bekaa.
He argued that the strikes serve two purposes: controlling the return of displaced residents and exerting pressure by creating a large-scale displacement crisis.
More than 1 million people are displaced, accounting for nearly 20% of Lebanon's total population. Malaeb opined that the threat to Al-Masnaa signals Israeli distrust of the Lebanese army, citing ongoing concerns about illegal weapons south of the Litani River, despite previous army efforts to eliminate them. Reportedly, Security and inspection procedures, including the use of scanners, have recently tightened at crossings.
Malaeb noted that Israel's increased violence coincides with US-Iran talks as Israel appears unwilling to accept a ceasefire and seeks to maximise the impact of intensified airstrikes. Iranian proposals, reportedly circulated by Hezbollah, would include Lebanon in any cease-fire, thereby stopping Israel from continuing to attack.
Since 2 March, Israel has increasingly targeted bridges and infrastructure in southern Lebanon to isolate areas south of the Litani River, disrupt civilian movement, and hinder supply chains and access to healthcare.
Bridges hit include Dalfa Bridge connecting Hasbaya, western Bekaa, and Jezzine; Qaqqaia Bridge in Nabatieh; Khardali Bridge linking Nabatieh and Marjeyoun; Tir Faliseh Bridge between Tyre and Zahrani; Al-Qasmiya Bridge connecting southern coastal areas; and two bridges over the Litani linking Sahmar and Mashghara in western Bekaa. Intense fire Over the past two days, Israeli strikes intensified across southern Lebanon, the Beka'a Valley, and Beirut.
Air raids over southern Beirut were heavy, with constant aerial presence over most Lebanese areas.
A night strike hit an apartment in Ain Saadeh Hills, east Beirut, killing three, including two women and a senior official from the Lebanese Forces Party. Investigations are ongoing to determine whether the targeted floor, reportedly empty at the time, had been rented. Local accounts remain conflicting.
On Sunday, the Israeli army said it struck a target in East Beirut, referring to the attack in Ain Saadeh Hills. Reports of injuries among Lebanese civilians not involved in the fighting are under review.
"All details of the incident are being examined," the Israeli army claimed, further saying Hezbollah continues using civilians as human shields, violating international law, without providing any evidence.
The strike on Ain Saadeh Hills intensified political rhetoric against Hezbollah and heightened sectarian tensions , particularly concerning displaced populations.
It also drew increased criticism of the Lebanese state for insufficient identity checks and failure to ensure that Hezbollah or Iranian Revolutionary Guard operatives are not present among civilians. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea commented on the Israeli strike on an apartment in Ain Saadeh Hills, saying, "The incident occurred when Israeli forces targeted a member of the Iranian Quds Force but hit an old building, collapsing the roof onto Pierre Maoud's home, killing him, his wife, and a visiting woman, and injuring others."
"What is known as the deep state in Lebanon, including the army, internal security forces, and judiciary, chose to let some Lebanese face danger and potential death rather than confront the attackers," he said. "Assuming responsibility from the beginning would have been better for everyone, even those following this path."
Geagea argued that "recent conditions involved significant exaggeration about the possibility of a civil war", stressing that "when the state decides to perform its role, we will not witness a civil war, only limited incidents, because the state is a system of institutions and large administrations."
He further emphasised that "security agencies must obtain precise lists of displaced people in safe areas to conduct accurate monitoring and verification". Article translated from Arabic by Afrah Almatwari. To read the original, click here .