The Israeli army has accused Hezbollah of smuggling weapons from Syria via the Masnaa border crossing, an accusation that caretaker minister of transport, Ali Hamiyeh, was quick to deny.

“All security checkpoints are deployed at the Masnaa crossing. Trucks passing through are systematically inspected, and all the various crossing points are subject to rigorous surveillance and meticulous checks,” declared Hamiyeh.

In a message addressed to the Lebanese government, the Israeli army’s Arabic-speaking spokesman, Avichay Adraae, urged local authorities to “carry out strict inspections of trucks at border crossings and report the presence of vehicles carrying combat equipment”. In the same vein, he pointed out that the Israeli army “will not allow the smuggling of these weapons and will not hesitate to act if forced to do so”.

Holding the Lebanese state responsible and urging it to prevent Hezbollah from using these crossings, Mr. Adraae asserted that the pro-Iranian group was thereby “endangering Lebanese citizens”.

He added: “Following the bombardment of its border crossings, Hezbollah has been attempting since last week to carry out operations via its 4400 unit to transport and smuggle sensitive combat equipment – including ground combat equipment and combat equipment destined for the southern Lebanon front – via the Masnaa border crossing”, which is “controlled by the Lebanese state”. He recalled that last Sunday, the Israeli army bombed a truck carrying weapons for Hezbollah in Lebanon”.


Second Warning

Shortly before 1pm on Thursday, Mr Adraae called for the evacuation of several areas in the southern region of Lebanon. On platform X, he urged the inhabitants of 25 villages to leave the area and head north to the Awali River, for their “safety”.

He added: “You are in the vicinity of Hezbollah-related installations” and “any house used for military purposes will be targeted”.

Ongoing Clashes

On the second day of Israeli ground incursions into Lebanon, Hezbollah claimed to have thwarted an attempted border advance into southern Lebanon. According to a statement issued on Thursday, the pro-Iranian group said it had “repelled with artillery fire an attempt by enemy Israeli forces to advance towards the Fatima Gate”, on the concrete and wire wall running along the border between Israel and Lebanon. This follows Israel’s report of eight soldiers killed during clashes in the south and another two, on Thursday, as stated by Israeli media.

Hezbollah also claimed responsibility for an attack on Israeli forces in Adamit and in an area between Shtula and Raheb, using missiles.

It also launched a missile attack on Yir’on. According to Haaretz, which reported 25 rockets fired from South Lebanon, one drone was “shot down” over Nahariya and another fell in an open area. No casualties were reported.

For its part, the Israeli army reported the death of 15 Hezbollah fighters, killed in air force strikes, following an attack on the Bint Jbeil municipality building on Wednesday night. According to the Israeli army communiqué, “several Hezbollah terrorists” were operating there. The statement added: “Numerous weapons used by the organization were stored in the building”.

Casualty Toll in Lebanon

Lebanon’s Health Ministry confirmed that 46 people have been killed and 85 injured in the past 24 hours due to the strikes.

Drones and Rockets Launched

Israeli media reported that a drone launched from Lebanon was shot down over the sea near Nahariya, while another drone struck an open area without causing injuries.

Additionally, 25 rockets were launched from Lebanon toward Upper Galilee, some of which were intercepted, while impacts were also identified.

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