Israel warns will strike crossings on Litani river, Katz vows 'big surprises', escalation

Israeli strikes and shelling targeted overnight into Wednesday several regions in south and east Lebanon, as Israel vowed "big surprises" and escalation.

In the south, strikes targeted Deir al-Zahrani, a hezbollah-affiliated health center in Kherbet Selem, Nabatieh, Tyre, Arab Salim, Kfartebnit, Shawkin-Zebdine, Harouf, Kafra, Burj al-Shamali, Bayt Yahoun, Burj Qalaway, Mayfadoun, Dweir, Shaqra, al-Jmayjmeh, al-Sultanieh, Shebaa, al-Litani, al-Kherdali, al-Abbasiyyah, Deir Qanoun, and Srifa, killing at least 6 and wounding at least 16.

Israeli artillery meanwhile shelled Qlayaa, Ibl al-Siqi and Jdaydet Marjaayoun killing a seven-year-old girl and her uncle in the Christian town of al-Qlayaa.

In the east, Israel targeted Baalbek, Yohmor, and Sohmor, killing at least 11 and wounding at least 113.

The Israeli military said it planned to strike bridges and crossings over the Litani River in southern Lebanon on Wednesday to disrupt what it said were Hezbollah arms‑smuggling routes.

"To prevent the transfer of reinforcements and weapons, the IDF intends to attack crossings on the Litani River starting from this afternoon," the military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee said on X.

"For your safety, you must continue moving to the area north of the Zahrani River and refrain from any movement southward, which may endanger your lives."

Defense minister Israel Katz later said there will be "big surprises" and escalation in Lebanon and Iran today.