At the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Credit: Matthieu Karam/L’Orient-Le Jour Archives)
The Israeli army on Saturday night called on residents of an area near the Masnaa border crossing, on the Syria-Lebanon border, to evacuate, claiming the site was being used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons.
"Due to Hezbollah's use of the al-Masnaa border crossing for military purposes and for the transfer of combat equipment, the Israeli army intends to carry out strikes on this site in the near future," army Arabic-language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said on X. He called on "all people" near the border crossing "to evacuate immediately."
The Masnaa border crossing is the main entry point between Lebanon and Syria, making it an essential trade route for both countries and Lebanon’s primary land gateway to the rest of the region. It has been bombed several times during the 2024 war. The Israeli army has been carrying out strikes in Lebanon and launched a ground offensive in the south of the country since March 2, when Hezbollah declared war on Israel, which attacked its Iranian ally along with the United States.
According to our correspondent in the Bekaa, the General Security, which is responsible for entry and exit procedures at all border crossings into Lebanon, evacuated the site, taking its equipment and files. The Internal Security Forces also evacuated the Masnaa police station and transferred detainees to nearby security centers. Similarly, a Lebanese security source at the Masnaa border crossing told AFP that the crossing was being evacuated “following the Israeli threat.”
Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Fayez Rassamny also confirmed that around 200 trucks, blocked by checks imposed by the authorities of both countries for several weeks but whose drivers were on site, were able to be moved, either to safe areas in Lebanese territory where administrative procedures will be completed later, or to Syrian territory, according to a statement. Other vehicles, without drivers, remain stranded in the area between the two border posts, and authorities are seeking a solution. Minister Rassamny also stated that the Masnaa border crossing “is subject to full monitoring and control by the relevant Lebanese security services.” “All trucks are inspected, checked and scanned,” he insisted, denying any allegations of smuggling.
In Syria, the director of public relations for the General Authority of Ports and Customs, Mazen Aloush, said the crossing, known on the Syrian side as Jdeidet Yabous, was “exclusively for civilian use and is not used for any military purpose.” He added, however, that “out of concern for travelers’ safety, traffic through the border crossing will be temporarily suspended.”
