Israel Closes Masnaa Crossing, Lebanon Faces Near-Total Land Blockade

Israel threatened and effectively closed Lebanon's main land gateway at the Masnaa border crossing for more than 72 hours.

“Israeli strikes across southern Lebanon and the capital, Beirut, have killed at least 14 people, a day after Israel threatened to hit Lebanon’s main border crossing with Syria, forcing its closure”

Al Jazeera

Israel claimed Hezbollah used the crossing for arms smuggling, a claim Lebanese security sources categorically denied.

Al Jazeera

The closure placed Lebanon in a near-total land blockade amid heavy fighting and evacuations.

Interior Minister Hajjar told President Aoun that contacts are ongoing with Syria and other countries.

More than 200,000 people used the crossing to flee violence in the weeks since the war began.

Trade and supply chains were disrupted at a time when Lebanon's economy was already in freefall.

Al-Jazeera Net

Israeli strikes expanded to key bridges in southern Lebanon and the Bekaa Valley.

The combined effect raised fears of an undeclared blockade.

Lebanon's president dispatched General Security head Choucair to Masnaa to oversee security.

“Israel has partially severed Beirut from Damascus after shutting the main border crossings between the two countries, following a warning that it would strike the Masnaa crossing”

Asharq Al-Awsat

Ongoing consultations aim to pressure Israel and open humanitarian corridors.

Despite diplomatic efforts, the crossing remained closed.

The UN expressed concern over the impact on relief operations.