The Israeli military reported targeting Hezbollah positions close to the Masnaa crossing, asserting that the group has been utilizing this vital route to smuggle weapons into Lebanon. This strategic move underscores the ongoing tensions and the multifaceted nature of the conflict, which has seen a dramatic escalation in recent weeks.
The airstrike, which took place on Oct. 4, caused significant destruction to a section of the road, effectively severing vehicle access to the crossing. However, despite the damage, many people are still attempting to make the journey on foot.
Distressing images have emerged showing families navigating over rubble and scrambling through a large crater left by the bombing, desperately seeking to escape the violence. According to figures from the Lebanese government, more than 300,000 individuals have fled to Syria in a span of 10 days, reflecting the overwhelming urgency to leave Lebanon amid the ongoing bombardments.
The airstrike occurred approximately 700 meters from the checkpoint on the Lebanese side and around 5 kilometers from the actual border. Aid workers have voiced concerns about the implications of this destruction, indicating that it not only obstructs the movement of civilians but also severely hampers the delivery of food and humanitarian supplies. (Related: Hezbollah, Lebanese Armed Forces repel Israeli advances in southern Lebanon.)
Matthew Hollingworth, the director of the UN's World Food Program, emphasized that the damage to the road near the Masnaa crossing would disrupt the essential overland transport of goods, which is often the most cost-effective way to deliver commodities into Lebanon. He stressed the critical importance of maintaining alternative routes, particularly those in northern Lebanon, to ensure both the safe passage of people and the influx of humanitarian aid.
Historically, the Masnaa crossing has served as the primary route for individuals moving from Lebanon into Syria and from there onward to Jordan and the Gulf States. This crossing also facilitated travel westward toward Beirut, the capital, which has suffered extensive bombing in recent days. The situation is further complicated by the ongoing conflict, as many residents find themselves caught between the violence in Lebanon and the uncertainty of returning to Syria, where the situation remains volatile.
IDF claims strike specifically targeted the site involved in transfer of weapons to Hezbollah
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the strike specifically targeted a site at the border crossing involved in the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah. Additionally, they claimed to have hit a 3.5-kilometer underground tunnel connecting Lebanon and Syria, though the precise location of this tunnel was not disclosed. In a statement prior to the strike, the IDF labeled the Masnaa crossing as a key conduit for Hezbollah's weapons transfers and accused the group of camouflaging smuggling operations among civilian traffic, calling on Lebanese authorities to conduct thorough inspections of vehicles.
As the violence escalates, many individuals fleeing eastward are Syrian nationals who have been living in Lebanon, returning to their home country to escape the bombardments. One woman from Beirut shared her experience of sending her son back to Syria with others from their neighborhood due to the increasingly perilous conditions in the capital.
In response to the mounting humanitarian crisis, Syria's government announced on Oct. 6 that individuals crossing the border would no longer be required to pay the typical entry fee of $100. This measure aims to facilitate the movement of those seeking refuge and underscores the urgency of the situation.
On the same day as the airstrike near Masnaa, additional strikes targeted areas near Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, which is located close to Dahieh, Hezbollah's stronghold.
The toll of the conflict is staggering. According to Lebanon's public health ministry, 37 people were killed and 151 wounded in ground and air assaults on Oct. 3 alone. Since the fighting erupted in October 2023, over 2,000 individuals have reportedly lost their lives in Lebanon due to Israeli airstrikes.
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