ISRAEL conducted a series of intense air strikes in the southern suburbs of Beirut and also targeted the main border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.
The recent air strikes were carried out following warnings from Israel for people to evacuate communities in southern Lebanon that are beyond a United Nations buffer zone. This comes as the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah continues to escalate.
Israeli forces have engaged in clashes with Hezbollah militants along the border after launching a ground incursion into Lebanon. Prior to the incursion, a series of attacks had already taken place, resulting in the deaths of key Hezbollah members, including their leader Hassan Nasrallah.
The explosions from the overnight strikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs sent smoke and flames into the sky, causing buildings in the capital to shake. While the Israeli military did not immediately disclose the intended target of the strikes, there was no immediate information available on casualties.
According to Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency, more than 10 consecutive air strikes hit the area late Thursday. Additionally, an Israeli air strike led to the closure of the road near the Masnaa Border Crossing, a busy crossing point between Lebanon and Syria.
The closure of this border crossing came after Israeli military spokespersons claimed that Hezbollah was attempting to transport military equipment through the area. Hezbollah is known to receive weapons from Iran through Syria and has a presence on both sides of the border, where they have been supporting Syrian President Bashar Assad’s forces.
The strike on the Masnaa Border Crossing marked the first time this major crossing has been cut off since the start of the conflict. Lebanese General Security reported a significant number of Syrian and Lebanese citizens crossing into Syrian territory in the days leading up to the closure.
While multiple border crossings between Lebanon and Syria remain open, the recent events have highlighted the ongoing tensions in the region. The Israeli military also conducted a strike in Tulkarem, a militant stronghold in the West Bank, resulting in casualties according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
The violence in the Israeli-occupied territories has been escalating since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in October 2023. Northern cities like Tulkarem have witnessed some of the worst violence, with casualties reported on both sides.
As the situation continues to unfold, it is essential for international observers to closely monitor the developments in the region and work towards de-escalating tensions to prevent further loss of life and destruction.