Israel has conducted airstrikes along the Syrian border with Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of seven individuals, just hours before a ceasefire was announced in the conflict with Hezbollah.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a warning to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, stating that he was “playing with fire” yesterday as he declared the truce with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah.
President Assad acts as a significant ally and supporter of Hezbollah, with Syria being the primary route for weapon transfers from Iran to the militant organization in Lebanon.
Hezbollah deployed its fighters in Syria during the civil war and played an essential role in bolstering Assad’s regime amid the uprising that began in 2011.
Syria’s defense ministry reported earlier that six individuals were killed due to Israeli strikes on border crossings with Lebanon shortly after midnight.
Syrian officials inspecting the damage on the Syrian side of the Al-Arida border crossing with Lebanon
In recent years, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syrian targets, with an increase in operations since the year-long conflict with Hezbollah intensified in September.
“In Syria, we are systematically obstructing efforts by Iran, Hezbollah, and the Syrian army to transfer arms to Lebanon,” Mr. Netanyahu stated.
“Assad needs to comprehend that he is playing with fire,” he added.
On Monday, the Israeli military accused Hezbollah and Iran of creating “covert routes into Lebanon through Syrian territory” and of using trucks and aircraft for weapon smuggling over the years.
According to Rami Abdel Rahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israel has carried out 89 strikes on targets in Syria since September 26.
“As long as there are vehicles transporting weapons or movements by Hezbollah or other pro-Iran groups, Israel will persist in targeting them, just as it did prior to the Lebanon war,” Abdel Rahman informed AFP.
As the ceasefire in Lebanon took effect today, Lebanese and Syrian authorities announced the commencement of repair efforts on the border crossings that had been targeted in recent weeks.
“Construction work…has started to rehabilitate and reopen the Masnaa road at the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing,” stated Lebanon’s Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamie in a statement on X.
Syria’s official SANA news agency also reported that rehabilitation work was in progress at the crossing.
“The Damascus Countryside Governorate has initiated restoration work on the international road connecting the Jdeidet Yabous crossing and the Lebanese border, as well as filling in craters left by Israeli attacks,” SANA reported.
Situated by the Mediterranean Sea, with Israel to its south, Lebanon’s only land routes for entry and exit run through Syria.
Lebanon depends on these crossings for the import and export of goods, in addition to travel.
