Bombing of Mettula Bridges
Both bridges were bombed during the 'Night of the Bridges' operation, on the night of the 16th to the 17th of June 1946.
The Mettula area was highly sensitive in terms of security. During WWII, many British Military facilities were built around it. The Haapala pathways of immigrants from Syria and Lebanon ran by it, and contrary to that, the escape routes of Arab residents as well. Two bridges connected Israel with Lebanon in this area: The first, medium-sized one, overlooks Nahal Ayun (Wadi Dardara), about 1km north-east of Mettula. The road from Mettula to Marji'youn and the Lebanon Valley ran through it. A few guarded British military camps were nearby the bridge. The second, relatively small road-bridge connected Mettula with Sidon and was built on the border, about 2km north-west of the Mettula police. This bridge was unguarded. Both bridges were bombed during the 'Night of the Bridges' operation, on the night of the 16th to the 17th of June 1946.