Israeli warplanes struck three bridges linking Beirut to northern Lebanon on Friday, in the worst attacks yet on the north of the country.
The latest Israeli bombardment came a day after Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah warned that if Israel attacks central Beirut, his fighters would fire rockets on Tel Aviv.
The Israeli attacks targeted a bridge just north of Beirut at Maameltain on Friday and two further north at Madfoun and Halat, security sources and witnesses said.
The Israeli planes also pounded Beirut's southern suburbs early Friday, launching at least 24 bombing runs in less than an hour, local media reported. Israeli jets also carried out three attacks near Baalbek in eastern Lebanon. Other strikes were launched on the Faraya-Ouyoun al-Siman road that links the Kesrouan Mountains with the Bekaa Valley and on the Afka-Tarayya road connecting the Bekaa with Mount Lebanon.
Israeli warplanes also bombed a major power station that serves the south of the Bekaa Valley and much of southern Lebanon, security officials said.
Lebanese security officials said Israeli fighter-bombers launched 19 raids in less than an hour on Ouzai. It was the first bombing of this coastal district which consists largely of low-income houses and workshops.
At least three Lebanese civilians were killed and 15 wounded in these attacks. In addition, a Lebanese soldier was killed in an attack in south Lebanon, it reported Friday.
Meanwhile, several Israeli soldiers were killed in heavy clashes with Hizbullah fighters in southern Lebanon on Friday. On Thursday, four Israeli troops died by Hizbullah fire.
