Israeli Airstrikes on Lebanon-Syria Border Crossings Spark Major Disruptions

On Sunday, refugees fleeing from Lebanon to Syria used a narrow makeshift bridge in Syria’s Qusair area, Homs province, after Israel’s recent strike disabled the official border crossing two days prior.

The two countries share a 375-kilometer border, with only three functional crossings remaining. In recent weeks, Israeli airstrikes have struck Lebanon’s Matraba crossing in the northeast, followed by a hit on the primary Masnaa crossing, and most recently the Jousieh crossing on Friday, forcing closures. Israel claims that Hezbollah uses these routes to transport weapons and equipment between Syria and Lebanon. However, humanitarian workers warn that these closures are worsening an already critical humanitarian situation, blocking crucial supply routes and access for those trying to escape the conflict.

“The situation is a tragedy,” shared Ghossoun Mubarak, who crossed the makeshift bridge with her three children after fleeing intense bombardment in Baalbek, eastern Lebanon. The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) reports that approximately 430,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria over the past month since Israel began a widespread aerial and ground assault in Lebanon. Lebanese authorities put the number even higher, at over half a million.

UNHCR spokesperson Rula Amin expressed serious concern about the impact of border closures, calling these crossings “a crucial lifeline for people fleeing the conflict.”

Omar Abu Jabal, 29, who returned to Lebanon through Jousieh on Sunday after a work trip, noted that the day’s crossing was calm. “Today, it was better. No issues along the way. But before, bombings stopped people from moving,” he said.

Nabil Aakoul, head of transportation for Homs province, highlighted the recent damage to a bridge over the Orontes River from these airstrikes. The destruction has isolated agricultural areas and disrupted trade, with rebuilding costs projected at around 35 billion Syrian pounds ($2.5 million). This has left surrounding communities cut off from essential travel and trade routes.

Local resident Yahya Abu Youssef described the bridge attack as “inhumane,” noting injuries to children and livestock in the area. “All we have here is a bridge connecting villages and farms,” he explained, adding that people now face an extra 10 kilometers of travel to reach Homs.