The ongoing conflict between Lebanon and Israel has entered an extremely dangerous stage, as Israel has begun targeting what it describes as “dual-use infrastructure,” a definition that may open the door to targeting basic components of the Lebanese state under the pretext of their use by “Hezbollah.”
This development became clear after the Israeli army spokesman, Avichay Adraee, announced in a tweet on the “X” platform that the Israeli army launched a raid targeting the Zararia Bridge on the Litani River in southern Lebanon, explaining that the bridge was used “as a central corridor for Hezbollah members.”
Adraee reported that the Israeli army bombed the bridge because it was being used to transport Hezbollah members between northern and southern Lebanon, considering that targeting it aimed to prevent a threat to the population of Israel. But the importance of this targeting goes beyond the site itself, as it indicates the beginning of implementing what Israel previously threatened to expand the scope of the targets to include civilian infrastructure.
Israeli media reports earlier revealed indirect messages conveyed by Tel Aviv to the Lebanese government, warning that the Lebanese army’s failure to move against Hezbollah might push Israel to strike the national infrastructure in Lebanon. It appears that targeting Al-Zarriya Bridge is the first practical application of these threats.
The concept of “dual use” means civilian facilities that residents use in their daily lives, but which may also be used for military or logistical purposes. However, expanding this concept raises serious concerns in Lebanon, as it may lead to the inclusion of a wide range of vital installations within the circle of military targets.
The main bridges and roads that form the arteries of movement in the country can be classified within this framework, as well as the electricity, water, communications and public utility networks that residents depend on in their daily lives. If this logic is widely adopted, a large part of the Lebanese infrastructure may become vulnerable to targeting.
Observers believe that including civilian infrastructure on the list of military targets represents a dangerous escalation in the nature of the war, as it shifts the confrontation from targeting military or security sites to targeting basic elements in the structure of the state and society.
As military operations continue on the Lebanese front, there is a fear that this shift will lead to major humanitarian and economic repercussions, especially in light of the fragility of Lebanon’s infrastructure after years of economic crises, which makes any additional strikes have a major impact on the residents’ daily lives.
