Israel targets Hezbollah infrastructure at Jousieh border crossing

The Israeli army confirmed that it had conducted an airstrike on a border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, claiming it was being used by Hezbollah for weapon transfers.

The strike targeted Hezbollah "infrastructure" at the Jousieh crossing in Lebanon's northern Bekaa Valley, an official statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, Caliber.Az reports.

IDF stated that Hezbollah "exploits the Jousieh civilian crossing," which is controlled by the Syrian regime and operated by Syrian military security, for weapon transfers. It specifically mentioned that these weapons are moved from Syria to Lebanon by Hezbollah's 4400 Unit, responsible for arms transportation.

In response, Lebanon’s transport minister, Ali Hamieh said that the Israeli strike had rendered the crossing "out of service." Known as Qaa on the Lebanese side, this crossing is the second such point targeted by Israel this month; the military had previously struck the Masnaa crossing further south, which is now also inoperable.

Israel maintains that these operations are aimed at preventing the flow of weapons from Syria to Hezbollah, which is backed by Iran.

In related operations, the IDF has also been active in southern Lebanon, where they discovered and dismantled two underground complexes used by Hezbollah militants. One of these complexes served as a headquarters and was situated in the centre of a village, while the other functioned as a significant weapons and ammunition warehouse linked to Radwan unit.

The IDF reported that the headquarters, located several dozen meters underground, was destroyed, resulting in the elimination of several militants. A portion of the weapons stockpile was destroyed, while others were taken as trophies back to Israel.

By Vafa Guliyeva