Egypt condemns Israeli ‘collective punishment’ in Lebanon as bridge strikes intensify

2026-03-23 - 15:10

Egypt has condemned Israel’s “deliberate and systematic” targeting of vital civilian infrastructure and bridges in Lebanon as a “flagrant violation of sovereignty” and a “policy of collective punishment.” The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a Monday statement that it condemned the escalation of the Israeli “aggression on Lebanon” in the strongest terms, citing the destruction of bridges linking various regions as a grave breach of international law and the United Nations Charter. Cairo stated that the intentional destruction of infrastructure has led to the forced displacement of approximately 1m Lebanese people and the emptying of entire areas of their residents. The ministry reaffirmed Egypt’s “firm and supportive position on the unity of the Lebanese state, its sovereignty, and the safety of its territories,” expressing full solidarity with its institutions. It called for the “full commitment to implementing Security Council Resolution 1701, in all its clauses and elements without selectivity,” to ensure that state institutions, primarily the Lebanese Army, can exercise their responsibilities and “place weapons under its exclusive authority.” The statement further condemned the use of the humanitarian crisis and civilian suffering as a “tool for military and political pressure.” It called for immediate action from the international community and the Security Council to “deter these unrestrained Israeli practices” and prevent Lebanon from sliding into further instability. The diplomatic condemnation follows instructions issued on Sunday by Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who ordered the military to accelerate the demolition of Lebanese homes in “front-line villages.” Katz claimed the move aimed to eliminate threats according to the “model of Beit Hanoun and Rafah,” referring to the destruction of towns in the Gaza Strip. Katz added that, in coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, military forces were directed to immediately destroy all bridges over the Litani River, alleging they are used for “terrorist activities.” Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the targeting of the Litani bridges on Sunday, describing the strikes as a “prelude to a ground invasion” and an “attempt to cut geographical connectivity” with the rest of Lebanese territory. Aoun stated that the destruction of the Qasmieh bridge on the Litani River represented a dangerous escalation that Lebanon has long warned of through diplomatic channels. The strikes have continued into Monday, with an Israeli air raid destroying the bridge in the southern town of Qa’qa’iyat al-Jisr. The National News Agency reported that the strike severed a primary link between the southern city of Nabatieh and the Wadi al-Hujair area. This follows Sunday’s strike on the Qasmieh bridge near the coastal city of Tyre. President Aoun said these actions reflect a “dangerous tendency toward systematic destruction” and that the targeting of residential areas and civilian facilities “amounts to a policy of collective punishment against civilians.” He emphasised that the actions explicitly violate international humanitarian law, which prohibits the targeting of civilians and essential facilities. Aoun further noted that destroying bridges “obstructs the arrival of humanitarian aid” and falls within “suspicious plans to establish a buffer zone and entrench the reality of occupation.” He called on the United Nations and Security Council members to assume their responsibilities, warning that “continued silence or inaction encourages further violations” and undermines the credibility of the international community.