The President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, condemned Israel's targeting and destruction of vital infrastructure and facilities in southern Lebanon, especially the Qasimiya Bridge on the Litani River and other bridges. He said: “These attacks constitute a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty, and are considered a prelude to a ground invasion that Lebanon has long warned through diplomatic channels against being drawn into. These trends reflect a dangerous trend towards the systematic destruction of infrastructure, civilian facilities, and residential areas in Lebanese villages, amounting to a policy of collective punishment against civilians, which is unacceptable, condemnable, unjustified, and explicitly violates the rules of international humanitarian law that prohibit targeting civilians and their basic facilities.” President Aoun added: “Targeting the bridges of the Litani River, the vital artery for civilian movement, is an attempt to cut off geographical communication between the South Litani region and the rest of Lebanese territory and hinders the arrival of humanitarian aid. It falls within suspicious plans to establish a buffer zone, stabilize the reality of the occupation, and seek Israeli expansion within Lebanese territory. In the face of this escalation, Lebanon calls on the international community, especially the United Nations and members of the Security Council, to assume their responsibilities and take immediate measures to deter Israel from implementing This attack, continued silence or inaction encourages the continuation of violations and undermines the credibility of the international community.”