LEBANON – SYRIA – ISRAEL Israel attacks border crossings between Lebanon and Syria and blocks refugee escape routes

The army of the Jewish State believes that Hezbollah uses them to move weapons and military equipment between the two countries. In recent months up to half a million people have crossed the border since the “northern front” of the war opened. The airstrikes also hit civilians and paralyzed activities and commerce. The IDF has issued an evacuation order for Tyre.

Beirut () – A large flow of Syrian refugees fleeing Lebanon towards their country of origin – to escape Israeli air strikes against Hezbollah targets that also end up hitting civilians – yesterday crossed on foot a makeshift bridge in the area of Qusai, in the province of Homs. This is an emergency solution, not without risks, which became the only possibility when the official border crossing between both countries was destroyed and out of service two days earlier, after an attack by planes with the Star of David.

Only three border crossings were operating between the two countries, along a 375 kilometer border. In late September, an Israeli airstrike hit the Matraba border crossing in northeastern Lebanon, forcing it to close. A few weeks later, the aircraft attacked Masnaa, the main crossing between the two countries, and also put it out of service. In recent days it was the turn of the Jousieh crossing, continuing an escalation that contributes to fueling the humanitarian emergency at seriously critical moments.

The Israeli army justified the operations by accusing Hezbollah – on the “northern front” of the war, against the pro-Iranian “Party of God”, which continues in parallel to the conflict against Hamas in Gaza – of using the crossings to move weapons and military equipment from Syria to Lebanon. However, humanitarian organizations and international officials say the closure of transit points has worsened an already serious humanitarian crisis, effectively blocking major supply routes and preventing access to those fleeing to get safe. Of them, a large part are Syrian exiles who escaped ten years ago from their country, mired in the civil war between the army of President Bashar al-Assad and rebel and jihadist groups, which over time has transformed into a regional conflict. by delegation.

“The situation on the ground is a tragedy,” Ghossoun Mubarak, who fled the eastern Lebanese city of Baalbek with her three children, told news agencies when she described the bombings that forced her to abandon her home. Yesterday the four crossed on foot, not without risk, the improvised bridge that – at least for the moment – is the only way to salvation.

According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), more than 430,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria in the last month, since Israel began aerial bombardment and ground invasion of Lebanon. Beirut government officials gave an upward estimate of more than half a million people. UNHCR spokesperson Rula Amin expressed concern about the damage to the crossings, stating that they are “the main anchor of salvation for people fleeing the conflict.”

“This time it was better,” said Omar Abu Jabal, 29, who returned to Lebanon yesterday through the Jousieh crossing after a business trip. “There were no problems along the way. But before – he added – there were bombings that prevented people from moving forward.” Nabil Aakoul, director of transport for Homs province, confirmed rumors that recent attacks destroyed a bridge over the Orontes River, disrupting communication with vital agricultural areas. Aakoul estimates that rebuilding the bridge will cost around $2.5 million, adding to the persistent lack of access to agricultural areas and the isolation of entire communities that depend on trade and travel across the river. Yahya Abu Youssef, who lives near the damaged bridge, said the Israeli attack was “inhumane” because in addition to the material damage, it caused injuries to children and livestock in the surrounding area. “All there is here is a bridge that connects the villages. and farms,” ​​he said, explaining that people in the area now have to travel an additional 10 km to reach Homs.

Finally, in the last few hours the Israeli army has issued an urgent evacuation notice for the inhabitants of large areas of the city of Tire, in Lebanon, because it has begun air strikes against Hezbollah centers. In the statement published on a map of the areas that will be attacked. “They must immediately leave the area marked in red and head – he concludes – towards the Awali River, in the North. “Anyone found near Hezbollah personnel, facilities and weapons puts their lives in danger!”