Israel launches airstrikes on Syrian-Lebanese border crossings

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has criticized Israel’s actions, stating that they are carrying out air strikes on inhabited Lebanese villages. The Israeli military has attacked four crossing points on the Syria-Lebanon border, claiming they were used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons.

According to reports, at least two people have been killed and almost 20 injured in southern Lebanon following earlier attacks. The latest Israeli violence occurred despite a US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended fighting between Israel and Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon in 2024.

President Aoun has accused Israel of pursuing a policy of systematic aggression, targeting civilians in Lebanese villages. He also stated that this behavior reaffirms Israel’s refusal to abide by its obligations arising from the cessation of hostilities agreement.

The Lebanese Ministry of Health reported at least 19 people wounded in Israeli air strikes on the southern Lebanese town of Qanarit. The National News Agency reported that Israeli warplanes bombed buildings in several south Lebanon villages and towns, including al-Kharayeb, al-Ansar, Qanarit, Kfour, and Jarjouh.

Earlier in the day, an Israeli strike on a vehicle in the town of Zahrani killed one person. Another strike targeting a vehicle in the town of Bazuriyeh killed another person. The AFP news agency reported that its correspondent witnessed damage to buildings and debris strewn across the area in Sidon.

The Israeli military stated that it targeted four border crossings used for “weapons transfer” and eliminated a “key Hezbollah weapons smuggler”. A Lebanese army statement condemned the attacks as a “blatant violation of Lebanon’s sovereignty” and a hindrance to the disarmament plan for Hezbollah.

Source: Al Jazeera