Israel strikes border crossings, says Hezbollah used for arms smuggling
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – The Israeli army carried out on Wednesday airstrikes on four border crossings along the Syrian–Lebanese border, saying they were being used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah to smuggle weapons.
Lebanon’s Ministry of Health said an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese village of Qanariit wounded 19 people, according to Reuters.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli military issued warnings to residents of several buildings in the villages of Qanariit, Kfour and Jrouj in southern Lebanon, ahead of air raids on what it described as “Hezbollah facilities.”
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said in a post on X platform that Israel is pursuing a policy of systematic aggression by launching airstrikes on inhabited Lebanese villages, in a dangerous escalation that directly targets civilians.
Hezbollah has not yet issued any comment on the strikes.
Lebanon is facing mounting pressure from the United States and Israel to disarm Hezbollah, while its leaders fear Israel could significantly intensify its attacks across the already strained country to force the Lebanese leadership to seize the group’s arsenal more quickly.