The Qasmiyeh Bridge spans the Litani River estuary near the Sidon coast road in southern Lebanon, carrying the main coastal highway that connects the south to Beirut. Built as a key piece of civilian infrastructure, it served as the primary evacuation and supply route for communities caught between Israeli and Hezbollah lines.

Israeli forces struck the bridge in late 2025, severing southern Lebanon's last functioning highway link north. The strike followed the earlier destruction of Litani River bridges further inland, completing the isolation of the southern zone where two Israel Defense Forces (IDF) armoured divisions were operating. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun described it as a prelude to ground invasion.

With the coastal route severed, relief convoys and civilian evacuees lost their last viable road north. Defence Minister Israel Katz subsequently declared Israeli intent to seize all territory south of the Litani, suggesting the bridge will not be rebuilt under any near-term settlement.

Common Questions

What is the Qasmiyeh Bridge?

The Qasmiyeh Bridge is a road bridge in southern Lebanon crossing the Litani River estuary near the coast. It carried the main highway connecting southern Lebanon to Sidon and Beirut, and was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in 2025.Source: Lowdown

Why did Israel destroy the Qasmiyeh Bridge?

Israel struck the Qasmiyeh Bridge to sever southern Lebanon's last highway link north, isolating the zone where IDF armoured divisions were operating. It followed earlier destruction of inland Litani bridges, completing a ring of road cuts around the south.Source: Lowdown

Is the Qasmiyeh Bridge the same as the Zrarieh Bridge?

No. The Zrarieh Bridge and the Qasmiyeh Bridge are distinct crossings in southern Lebanon. Both were destroyed in 2025 Israeli operations, but the Qasmiyeh carried the main coastal highway, making it the more strategically critical route north.Source: Lowdown

What did Lebanon's president say about the Qasmiyeh Bridge strike?

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun called the Israeli strike on the Qasmiyeh Bridge a prelude to ground invasion, warning that cutting the south's last road north signalled Israeli intent to occupy territory rather than simply degrade Hezbollah.Source: Lowdown

Can civilians still leave southern Lebanon after the bridge was destroyed?

No viable road route remained after the Qasmiyeh Bridge was struck. With coastal and inland Litani crossings all destroyed, civilian evacuees and humanitarian convoys had no functioning highway link between southern Lebanon and Beirut.Source: Lowdown

How the World Sees Them

Israel

Israel has systematically cut road connections across southern Lebanon to isolate Hezbollah and prepare for a possible land offensive. The Qasmiyeh strike was presented as a military necessity to sever supply lines.

Lebanon

President Aoun condemned the strike as collective punishment and a prelude to occupation, calling on international mediators to press for an immediate halt. Lebanese authorities cannot rebuild while strikes continue.

Hezbollah

Hezbollah framed the bridge destruction as proof of Israeli intent to permanently occupy the south, using it to justify continued rocket and drone operations as civilian infrastructure collapsed.

United Nations

UN agencies warned that severing the coastal highway obstructs humanitarian access to the most affected civilian populations in southern Lebanon, calling the strike a possible violation of international law.

Written with AI from Lowdown's published reporting. Not individually reviewed by an editor. Updated 30 March 2026. Editorial standards.