In a dramatic escalation, an Israeli airstrike on Friday hit close to Lebanon's Masnaa border crossing with Syria, shuttering a vital road used by hundreds of thousands fleeing the turmoil. Lebanon's Transport Minister, Ali Hamieh, confirmed that the strike created a massive four-meter-wide crater on Lebanese territory, effectively cutting off the passage. 😢
The area had been a lifeline for many, especially Syrians, seeking refuge from intense Israeli bombardments in recent days. Over 300,000 people have crossed into Syria from Lebanon in the past ten days alone, according to government stats. That's a staggering number! 📈
Meanwhile, tensions are soaring as the Israeli military accused Hezbollah of using the crossing to smuggle military equipment into Lebanon. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee declared on social media, \"The IDF will not allow the smuggling of these weapons and will not hesitate to act if forced to do so.\" 🛑
Things are heating up even more as residents of over 20 southern Lebanese towns were told to evacuate immediately. The fear of a broader Middle East conflict is real, with whispers about the U.S. and Iran getting drawn into the fray. 🌍🔥
Nations worldwide are on high alert, prepping evacuation plans for their citizens in Lebanon. While large-scale evacuations haven't kicked off yet, the buzz is that some countries are chartering planes, and people are finding their own ways out. ✈️
On the diplomatic front, China is stepping in, urging the United Nations Security Council to take urgent action to dial down the tension between Lebanon and Israel. Fu Cong, China's permanent representative to the UN, emphasized the dire situation, saying it's \"hanging by a thread.\" 🕊️
Across the pond, U.S. President Joe Biden weighed in, expressing hope that there won't be an \"all-out war\" in the Middle East. However, he acknowledged that more efforts are needed to prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. 🕶️
The stakes are high as Israel continues airstrikes, including on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiye, a known stronghold of Hezbollah. Reports suggest that the strikes targeted Hezbollah official Hashem Safieddine, but his fate remains unclear. 🎯
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Iran will bear the consequences for recent missile attacks. In response, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Iran is ready to react decisively to any military aggression. ⚖️
This unfolding drama has everyone on edge. Stay tuned for more updates as the situation develops. Let's hope for peace and swift resolutions. ✌️
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
