Lebanon says has assurances, not guarantees 'Israel' won't hit airport
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The Lebanese Transport Minister dismisses Israeli claims that Hezbollah is using the airport and border crossings for smuggling weapons.
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A Greek military transport aircraft carrying Greek and Cypriot citizens evacuated from Lebanon, is seen behind an MEA airlines, after it landed at Larnaca airport, Cyprus, on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (AP Photo/Petros Karadjias)
Lebanon has received "assurances" from international actors that "Israel" will not target Rafik Hariri International Airport, the country's only international airport, amid ongoing airstrikes, AFP reported Tuesday, citing Beirut's Transport Minister Ali Hamieh.
However, Hamieh said that these assurances fall short of formal guarantees, leaving concerns about the airport's safety as Israeli airstrikes continue to worsen.
Since September 23, "Israel" has intensified its air strikes in Lebanon, including Beirut's Southern Suburbs near the airport. On Monday, the US urged "Israel" to avoid striking the airport or roads leading to it, after repeated Israeli strikes in the vicinity.
Despite the tense situation, Lebanon remains committed to keeping its public airport, seaports, and land crossings, particularly Rafik Hariri International Airport, operational, Hamieh indicated.
"Ongoing international calls have given us a sort of assurance that the airport will be spared Israeli strikes," the Minister told AFP. "But there is a big difference between assurances and guarantees," he added.
Read more: UN warns of Gaza-level devastation as war on Lebanon escalates
Hamieh dismissed Israeli claims that Hezbollah is using the airport and border crossings for smuggling weapons, insisting that the Beirut airport operates under Lebanese law and is monitored by security agencies.
He clarified that any military aircraft carrying weapons must be approved by the Lebanese Army and licensed by his ministry.
He confirmed said his ministry was "fully coordinating" with the army and relevant state agencies to keep land, air and sea ports safe because "if these ports are closed, it means we're under siege."
The Israeli aggression has also targeted Lebanon's Masnaa border crossing with Syria, a vital trade route. Israeli airstrikes have damaged the main road at the crossing, preventing vehicles from passing, though thousands of civilians have fled to Syria on foot.
The Lebanese government said more than 400,000 people had fled to Syria to escape Israeli bombardment, with tens of thousands crossing from Masnaa before the main road was bombed.
"Closing off this crossing has created a big problem," Hamieh said, adding that the government was "making the necessary calls to get it back up and running again".
The Masnaa crossing is Lebanon's main land gateway to the rest of the region.
"The Masnaa crossing is a major crossing... for imports and exports, and a vital crossing for Lebanese farmers and industrialists for land exports," he said.
'Israel' carried out 26 airstrikes on Beirut in 24 hours
In the latest wave of Israeli strikes, the Southern Suburb of Beirut was hit by a series of violent air raids, which resumed early Tuesday. Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that more than 26 airstrikes have targeted the area in the last 24 hours alone.
The Israeli occupation forces also continued targeting rescue teams and civil defense workers, attempting to prevent them from reaching the affected areas. Reports indicate that civil defense and ambulance vehicles are unable to enter the Southern Suburb due to the intense Israeli bombardment there.
In one devastating attack, fires broke out following a strike on the Tahwitat al-Ghadir area after airstrikes targeted fuel tanks. Flames continued to rage in the aftermath of the air raid.
Simultaneously, Israeli artillery shelled the heights of Jabal al-Saddaneh on the outskirts of al-Arqoub in southern Lebanon, one Al Mayadeen correspondent reported.
