US and Egypt push Israel not to strike the main Lebanon-Syria border crossing

06/04/2026

BEIRUT, Apr 6: Lebanon’s General Security chief Hassan Choucair said ongoing contacts involving the United States and Egypt aim to secure and reopen the Masnaa border crossing, which has remained closed since Saturday.

The closure followed Israeli warnings that the crossing could be targeted over alleged weapons smuggling by Hezbollah, claims that Lebanese and Syrian officials have rejected, insisting that all vehicles are subject to strict inspections.

The shutdown has forced travellers to use a longer northern route, while officials estimate that more than 200,000 people have crossed from Lebanon into Syria over the past five weeks as the conflict escalated, with many fleeing the fighting.