Lebanon could 'soon' witness Israeli land, air blockade, transport minister says amid continued strikes

Lebanon could be faced with an Israeli-imposed land and air blockade, Public Works and Transport Minister Ali Hamieh said on Friday.

The statement was made after a meeting with Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, after he informed him of ongoing operations at all maritime, land, and air facilities in the country.

Hamieh's comments come after Israel on Friday struck the main international road to Syria, cutting off the main passage between the two countries located in the Masnaa area.

The strike, which Israel has not commented on, comes after 310,000 people, mostly Syrians, have in recent days fled Israel's aggression and looked for relative safety in neighbouring Syria.

Hamieh said Israel's strikes have led to the obstruction of trucks transporting goods to shops and supermarkets, especially in areas witnessing violent raids. The roads connecting and leading to them, particularly in the Bekaa, Baalbek-Hermel, the South, Beirut and Mount Lebanon are also affected. Such moves are causing residents and merchants to be "besieged," Hamieh added.

Following the meeting, the minister said: "It is clear that we are on the way to an air and land blockade. Where is the international community from this?"

However, the minister maintained that Beirut's international airport will remain open and operating, despite the cancellation of several flights to the capital. 

On Friday, Israel continued its aggression on Lebanon, hitting many of the country’s southern villages.

Several strikes hit the towns of Khiam and Kherbet Salem in the Nabatiaeh governorate, killing at least five people.

The districts of Saida, Tyre and the town town of Marjayoun were also hit.

Israel, however, claimed to have targeted 2,000 Hezbollah positions in the past four days, killing at least 250 fighters affiliated with the Lebanese Shia group.

Israel and Hezbollah have been exchanging cross-border fire since 8 October, a day after Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israel.

Israel’s attacks on Lebanese soil escalated dramatically in September, when a number of pagers and walkie-talkie devices imported into Lebanon were detonated, killing 49 people.

Days later, Israeli air strikes hit Beirut’s southern suburb of Dahieh, killing Ibrahim Aqil, the acting commander of the elite Radwan Force.

Strikes across the country’s south on 23 September 23 killed more than 500, including children, women and paramedics.

Days later, Israel struck the Beirut’s southern suburbs again, killing Hezbollah’s Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah.

Since 1 October, Israel has attempted to carry out incursions with ground troops, who have engaged in clashes with Hezbollah fighters.

More than 1,900 Lebanese have been killed since 8 October, with more than half of the casualties occurring over the last two weeks.

Over one million people have also been displaced, including minorities living in the country, notably Syrians.