Israeli fighter jets launched a series of airstrikes on Friday, targeting seven border crossings between Syria and Lebanon in a bid to disrupt the flow of weapons to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group in southern Lebanon. The Israeli military reported the destruction of critical infrastructure used for smuggling arms into Lebanon, part of a broader effort to curb Hezbollah’s military capabilities.
The airstrikes were aimed at halting the transfer of weapons, including explosives, rocket-propelled grenade launchers, and AK-47 automatic rifles, to Hezbollah. In a separate operation, Israeli troops seized a truck equipped with a 40-barrel rocket launcher in southern Lebanon, further underscoring the scale of the weapons smuggling operation.
According to Major General Tomer Bar, commander of the Israeli Air Force, Hezbollah had been attempting to smuggle weapons into Lebanon to test Israel’s defenses. “This must not be tolerated,” Bar said, emphasizing Israel’s determination to prevent Hezbollah from acquiring advanced weaponry.
The strikes come amid rising tensions in the region. A ceasefire agreement signed on November 27, 2023, called for the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon and the dismantling of unauthorized Hezbollah military facilities south of the Litani River. However, both Israel and Hezbollah have accused each other of violating the terms of the ceasefire, which was initially intended to end over a year of conflict that began with Hezbollah missile strikes on Israel following the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, from Gaza.
The United Nations peacekeeping force in Lebanon also weighed in on the situation, calling for Israeli forces to withdraw, citing multiple violations of the ceasefire agreement. Despite these calls, Israel has vowed to continue its operations to prevent weapons smuggling and maintain its security along the northern border.
In recent days, Israel has expanded its military actions beyond Lebanon, including airstrikes targeting the Iranian-backed Houthi movement in Yemen. Israel has stated that it will continue its regional campaign against Iranian-backed militant groups, citing the ongoing threat posed by Hezbollah and its allies.
With tensions between Israel and Hezbollah remaining high, the situation along the Syria-Lebanon border is expected to remain volatile as both sides continue to assert their interests in the region.
Sources By Agencies
