Israeli Military Accuses Hezbollah Of Using Civilian Crossers To Smuggle Weapons From Iran

JAKARTA - Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hezbollah of using the Masnaa Border Crossing between Lebanon and Syria to smuggle Iranian weapons, warning them would act to prevent the militant group from acquiring new weapons.

Tens of thousands of people, especially Syrians, have left Lebanon via the crossing in recent days, as fighting between Israel and Hezbollah escalated.

Arabic-language IDF spokesman Colonel Avichay Adraee said since the military attacked another border crossing between Lebanon and Syria last week used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons, the militant group began using Masnaa as its main route for arms shipments.

The Hezbollah group has also tried to repair another damaged crossing after the Israeli attack, according to the IDF, reported by The Times of Israel October 3.

Colonel Adraee said last week, the IDF attacked a truck carrying a "sensitive weapon" to Hezbollah via one of the crossings. The IDF published footage of the attack.

The military warned they would not allow arms shipments to Hezbollah via civil crossings.

"The Lebanese state is responsible for its official border crossings and its ability to prevent Hezbollah (using) this crossing. The IDF urges Lebanese countries to carry out strict checks on trucks passing through civilian crossings and return trucks and vehicles containing weapons to Syria," Colonel Adraee said.

"If necessary, (IDF) will not hesitate to act, as he has done during the war," he added.

Separately, Lebanese Transport Minister Ali Hamia, a member of Hezbollah, will hold a press conference to refute the claim, Channel 12 reported.