Israel strikes humanitarian sites at Lebanon-Syria border crossing

Israel strikes humanitarian sites at Lebanon-Syria border crossing
This picture shows a crater caused by an Israeli strike on the road leading to Syria's Jousieh border crossing with Lebanon on October 28, 2024. The Israeli military confirmed on October 25, that it had struck a border crossing between Syria and Lebanon that it said was being used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons. (Photo by LOUAI BESHARA / AFP)

By AFP

UN refugee chief Filippo Grandi said an Israeli air strike hit "humanitarian structures" Saturday at a border crossing between Lebanon and Syria that was previously hit last month.

 

The crossing, known as Jousieh on the Syrian side, became a key escape route for those fleeing the Israel-Hezbollah war after the main border crossing between the two countries was hit.

 

But it was put out of service late last month when an Israeli strike created a large crater that blocked vehicle traffic.

 

"A new Israeli air strike hit the border post of Jousieh, where many Lebanese and Syrians cross from Lebanon to Syria," Grandi said on social media platform X.

 

"Humanitarian structures were also struck," he said, adding that "even fleeing and taking care of those who flee are becoming difficult and dangerous as the war continues to spread."

 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said two Israeli strikes hit the Jousieh crossing on Saturday.

 

The raid came after the main crossing between Beirut and Damascus, known as Masnaa on the Lebanese side, was forced to close by an Israel strike on October 4.

 

There are six official crossings between Lebanon and Syria, although there are many unofficial routes across the porous border.

 

Israel has repeatedly accused Hezbollah of transporting weapons to Lebanon from Syria through the crossings.