Masnaa Crossing Closed Between Syria and Lebanon.. Alternative Homs Crossing Available for Travelers

Mazen Aloush, the Director of Relations at the Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs, confirmed that the Jdeidet Yabous crossing, also known as the Masnaa crossing, remains closed from the Lebanese side until further notice, amid a state of anticipation and caution due to Israeli threats.

Aloush added that for travelers with flight bookings through Beirut International Airport, they can use the Jousiyeh border crossing in the Homs countryside as an alternative option to ensure their travel continues. He confirmed that the authority is continuously monitoring developments and will inform the public of any updates as soon as they arise.

The closure comes after Israel threatened to bomb the crossing, claiming that Hezbollah uses the crossing for military purposes and weapon smuggling, which both the Syrian and Lebanese sides officially denied. Direct communication took place between Lebanon and Syria to allow stranded trucks to return to Syrian customs yards.

Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport, Faysal Al-Rassamni, confirmed that the Masnaa crossing is under full supervision of the Lebanese security agencies, with thorough inspections using scanning devices, emphasizing that the claims about weapon smuggling or prohibited materials are untrue, given the ongoing security coordination between the two sides.

For his part, Syrian President Ahmad Al-Shara stated that Syria does not wish to engage in the current regional conflicts after many years of internal war, despite the recent escalation between Hezbollah and Israel since early March, including Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon and the western suburbs of southern Beirut.