The Israeli military announced on Saturday that it plans to strike an area near the main border crossing between Syria and Lebanon, warning local residents to evacuate immediately. The attack will target the Masnaa crossing, which Israel claims Hezbollah is using for military purposes and weapons smuggling. The warning follows continued Israeli operations across Lebanon since March 2, when Hezbollah joined the Middle East conflict in support of Iran.

A Lebanese security source told AFP that the crossing is being evacuated in response to the Israeli threat. Meanwhile, Syria’s General Authority for Borders and Customs said the crossing, known as Jdeidet Yabous on the Syrian side, is used only for civilian purposes and not for military activity. Syrian authorities have temporarily suspended traffic through the crossing for safety reasons.

The Masnaa crossing is a key trade route between Lebanon and Syria and serves as a vital land gateway for Lebanon. Israel previously struck the crossing in October 2024 during an earlier conflict with Hezbollah, after which it remained closed until repair work began following a ceasefire.