UN Reports Israel Struck ‘Humanitarian Structures’ on Lebanon-Syria Border

U.N. refugee chief Filippo Grandi reported that an Israeli airstrike targeted “humanitarian structures” on Saturday at a border crossing between Lebanon and Syria. The crossing, known as Jousieh in Syria, has been an essential route for those escaping the Israel-Hezbollah conflict since the primary crossing was hit last month.

Late in October, a prior Israeli strike created a large crater at Jousieh, blocking it for vehicle traffic and disrupting movement. Grandi announced on social media platform X that another Israeli airstrike struck the Jousieh border post, where many Lebanese and Syrians cross. He added that the targeting of humanitarian facilities further complicates efforts to help those fleeing, making escape increasingly risky as the conflict expands.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in Britain, two Israeli strikes impacted Jousieh on Saturday. This recent attack follows an Israeli airstrike on October 4 that shut down the main Masnaa crossing between Beirut and Damascus.

Lebanon and Syria share six official crossings along their border, though numerous unofficial routes exist due to the porous terrain. Israel has accused Hezbollah of using these routes to transport weapons into Lebanon from Syria.