Hamieh to Al Mayadeen: Israeli claims are pretexts to target civilians

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Al Mayadeen
3 Oct 2024 19:08

Lebanon's Transport Minister affirms that all border crossings are under government oversight in response to Israeli accusations that Hezbollah was smuggling weapons from Syria via the Masnaa border crossing.

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Lebanese caretaker Minister of Public Works and Transportation Ali Hamieh speaks during a press conference at the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Monday, Jan. 8, 2024 (AP)

Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport Ali Hamieh denied Israeli claims regarding the use of border crossings with Syria to smuggle weapons, explaining that "Israel" is using this as a pretext to target civilians.

Speaking to Al Mayadeen on Thursday, Hamieh stated that there are security measures in place at the crossings with Syria, in accordance with international laws.

"Israel" has recurrently claimed weapon cache placement in civilian areas in Gaza and Lebanon to target civilian areas, committing war crimes and massacres against the countries' civilian population.

In another context, the Lebanese Minister confirmed that Hezbollah is in full coordination with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri regarding ongoing efforts to reach a ceasefire.

"فرضنا إجراءات رقابة أمنية على المعابر مع #سوريا وفقاً للقوانين الدولية".

وزير الأشغال العامة والنقل في حكومة تصريف الأعمال اللبنانية علي حمية لـ #الميادين.@alihamie_lb @AlMayadeenNews #الميادين_لبنان #لبنان pic.twitter.com/p53wgEvPEt
— الميادين لبنان (@mayadeenlebanon) October 3, 2024

It is worth noting that Israeli occupation forces have relentlessly continued their aggressive campaign against Lebanon for the 11th consecutive day, launching a series of intensive raids on the Southern Suburb and the capital, Beirut, at dawn Thursday.

The aggression resulted in a number of martyrs, injuries, and widespread destruction, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.

'Israel' hacks Beirut airport, threatens Iranian civilian plane

Last Sunday, the Israeli army hacked into the control tower of Beirut's Rafic Hariri International Airport, issuing threats against an Iranian civilian aircraft attempting to land, according to official sources.

Following these threats, the Lebanese Ministry of Transport instructed airport authorities to prevent the Iranian plane from entering Lebanese airspace. Sources from the Ministry told Anadolu that this directive was issued amid the Israeli army's aggressive stance.

It is worth noting that "Israel" issued no comments regarding these reports. Earlier, Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated, "We will not allow any weapons to be transferred to Hezbollah," specifically mentioning that this includes transfers "through Beirut International Airport."

"We will not allow the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah in any form. We are aware of Iranian weapons transfers to Hezbollah, and we will work to thwart them," he added.

Hagari also emphasized, "We declare that we will not allow hostile aircraft carrying weapons to land at the civilian airport in Beirut. This is a civilian airport for civilian use, and it must remain that way."

At the time, Hamieh refuted Israeli claims, stating that Beirut International Airport is used solely for civilian purposes. He further explained that "military air traffic at Beirut Airport is subject solely to the approval of the Lebanese army."