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Israeli Strikes Target Hezbollah Stronghold in Syrian Qusayr
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The escalation of Israeli strikes on border crossings and roads indicates an integrated strategy to isolate Hezbollah from its Syrian depth and cut off its supply lines
Intensive Israeli attacks on Syria's Qusayr region, Hezbollah's stronghold near the Lebanese border, resulted in three deaths and five injuries, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights on Thursday.
The Observatory reported that the three raids targeted Hezbollah weapons and fuel depots in Qusayr's industrial city, as well as facilities near the Syrian-Lebanese border, and a bridge south of the city.
The official Syrian news agency "SANA" confirmed the Israeli bombardment, noting material damage in the industrial city and residential areas, with civilian casualties reported.
The Israeli army claimed responsibility for the attacks, announcing the targeting of weapons depots and Hezbollah headquarters in Qusayr, accusing the group of using crossings to transfer "combat means" from Syria to Lebanon.
Israel has escalated its attacks on border areas between Syria and Lebanon during this month, leading to the disruption of two main crossings: Jdeidet Yabous-Masnaa and Jusiyah-Qaa.
These developments coincided with the displacement of more than half a million people from Lebanon to Syria since the start of Israeli escalation against Hezbollah on September 23, according to Lebanese authorities.
The targeting of bridges and crossings exacerbates the suffering of those fleeing the escalation in Lebanon, as safe crossing options diminish with each new raid.
Israeli aircraft had previously targeted unofficial crossings and roads in the Qusayr area during this month, including a bridge connecting the banks of the Orontes River, in a clear attempt to cut supply lines between Syria and Lebanon.
Levant-Agencies
