The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) reported that the UN recorded more than 47 Israeli airstrikes on several sites in Syria within a period of less than two months.

According to the agency’s report on the emergency response in Syria regarding the displacement from Lebanon, the UN recorded at least 29 Israeli airstrikes in southern Homs since September 26 and at least 18 airstrikes on border crossing points between Lebanon and Syria.

The sites that were bombed include the town of al-Qusayr in southern Homs and Sayyida Zeinab in Rif Dimashq, with several airstrikes reported on the border crossing points between Lebanon and Syria, particularly two airstrikes on the al-Jousiyeh border crossing, and another airstrike reported on an unofficial crossing point in the village of Akoum in southern Homs countryside.

Israel intensifies strikes

The Israeli army has recently intensified its strikes on sites in Syria, in a clear attempt to cut off weapon supplies to the Lebanese Hezbollah.

Unlike in the past, Israel has claimed responsibility for several strikes carried out in regime-controlled areas.

The Syrian-Lebanese border has faced repeated bombardment from Israeli warplanes in an effort to intercept weapon supplies from Syria to Hezbollah. Israel has increased its airstrikes in recent weeks, targeting both official and unofficial crossings between the two countries.

Along the border, there are illegal crossings that have been used over the past years for human and goods smuggling, as well as arms and Captagon pills, in addition to six legal crossings used for commercial transactions and civilian passage.

In this context, Israel has spoken of “imposing a military blockade on Lebanon” to prevent the smuggling of Iranian weapons to Hezbollah by land and air, according to the Times of Israel.

Since 2011, Iran has brought armed militias loyal to it into Syria to support the regime against the Syrian uprising calling for its overthrow.

Over the years, these militias, including Hezbollah, have fought alongside the regime and have settled in Syrian villages and cities after the fighting front lines were frozen through international efforts, but some have come under Israeli targeting due to their connection to Iran.