Destruction of Lebanon-Syria border crossings in Israeli airstrikes creates difficulties
A stream of refugees fleeing Lebanon to Syria have been crossing a narrow makeshift bridge in the Qusair area of Syria’s Homs province since the official border crossing was put out of commission by an Israeli strike two days earlier
QUSAIR, Syria (AP) — A stream of refugees fleeing Lebanon to Syria crossed a narrow makeshift bridge on foot Sunday in the Qusair area of Syria’s Homs province after the official border crossing was put out of commission by an Israeli strike two days earlier.
Only three functioning crossings remain between the countries, which share a border 375 kilometers (233 mi) long.
In late September, an Israeli airstrike hit the border crossing of Matraba in Lebanon’s northeast, forcing it to close. A few weeks later came a strike on Masnaa, the main crossing between the two countries, putting it out of service. The Jousieh crossing was struck on Friday.
The Israeli military has accused the Hezbollah militant group of using the crossings to move weapons and military equipment from Syria to Lebanon. But humanitarian officials say that the closure of the crossings have intensified an already severe humanitarian crisis by blocking key routes for supplies and impeding access for those fleeing to safety.
