Obaida Hitto, reporting from Tyre in southern Lebanon, says Israel is destroying bridge links in the Bekaa Valley in what he describes as an effort to cut southern Lebanon off from the rest of the country.

According to Hitto, the two bridges hit in the Bekaa are key routes for the movement of people and goods between western Bekaa and other parts of Lebanon.

He says the strikes fit a wider Israeli approach seen in recent weeks. Hitto reports that at least six major bridges over the Litani River, which link the north and south, have been destroyed in that period.

Hitto says Israeli forces appear to be trying to tighten their grip on towns and villages in the south while disrupting connections with the rest of the country.

He describes the bridge attacks as both tactical and strategic. At the same time, he says Hezbollah is continuing to show it can strike far inside Israeli territory.

Hitto also reports a severe sandstorm moving in from Africa. He says the conditions are providing cover for both Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters.

From Tyre, he says jets can be heard overhead, alongside bursts of gunfire and explosions.