BEIRUT: Israel said Friday it struck crossings on the Lebanon-Syria border used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons, with a Syria war monitor reporting an unspecified number of people wounded in the attack.
The Israeli military said its air forces “struck crossing points in the area of the Lebanon-Syria border” used by the Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group “in attempts to smuggle weapons into Lebanese territory.”
“These activities constitute a blatant violation of the ceasefire understandings between Israel and Lebanon,” the statement added.
A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah has been in place since November 27, after more than a year of hostilities including two months of all-out war. Both sides have accused the other of violating the deal.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor said the overnight strikes put an “illegal crossing” near Lebanon’s frontier town of Wadi Khaled, which borders Syria’s Homs province, “out of service” and wounded a number of people.
The raids came “after a convoy of smugglers’ vehicles was observed headed from Syria toward Lebanon,” added the Britain-based Observatory, which has a network of sources inside Syria.
Observatory chief Rami Abdel Rahman reported “heavy material damage to buildings and vehicles.”
Lebanon’s official National News Agency reported “enemy aircraft flying at low altitude over the city of Hermel” and villages in the Bekaa Valley in the country’s northeast near the Syrian border.
Under the Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire, Lebanon’s military was to deploy in south Lebanon alongside UN peacekeepers as the Israeli army withdrew over a 60-day period that was later extended to February 18.
Hezbollah was to pull back north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from the border, and dismantle remaining military infrastructure in the south.
Israel announced just before the latest deadline that it would temporarily keep troops in “five strategic points” near the border.
Earlier this month, the Israeli military said it carried out an air strike targeting a tunnel on the Syria-Lebanon border used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons.
In January, Israel carried out air strikes in Lebanon targeting areas in the east and south according to Lebanese state media, with the Israeli military saying it hit Hezbollah targets including smuggling routes along the border with Syria.
Syria shares a 330-kilometer (205-mile) border with Lebanon, with no official demarcation.
Hezbollah lost a supply route when opposition forces in December ousted Bashar Assad in Syria, where Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes since war broke out in 2011.
Hezbollah holds sway in large parts of the Lebanese-Syrian border region, and had fought alongside Assad’s troops during the war.
Israel says it has struck Lebanon-Syria border crossings used by Hezbollah
https://arab.news/z35fv
Israel says it has struck Lebanon-Syria border crossings used by Hezbollah
- War monitor SOHR says the strikes put an “illegal crossing” near Lebanon’s frontier town of Wadi Khaled, which borders Syria’s Homs provincel “out of service”
- The raids came “after a convoy of smugglers’ vehicles was observed headed from Syria toward Lebanon,” added the SOHR, which has a network inside Syria
Ramadan lanterns: A symbol of celebration
CAIRO: Muslims around the world are observing Ramadan, a month of dawn-to-dusk fasting, intense prayer and charity.
The holy month has long been associated with a rich tapestry of customs and traditions that define its unique celebrations.
Among the most prominent symbols of these festivities is the Ramadan lantern, a cherished emblem that illuminates streets and homes, reflecting the spiritual and cultural essence of the season.
In the historic districts of Cairo — such as Al-Hussein, Al-Azhar and Sayyida Zeinab — millions of Egyptians gather to celebrate Ramadan.
These neighborhoods are transformed into vibrant scenes of light and color, adorned with elaborate illuminations and countless Ramadan lanterns that hang across streets and balconies.
Vendors line the bustling alleys, offering a wide array of goods associated with the sacred month.
Foremost among these cherished items is the Ramadan lantern, which remains the most iconic and sought-after symbol of the season, embodying both tradition and festivity.
The lantern, in its earliest form, served as a vital source of illumination in ancient times.
Initially, torches crafted from wood and fueled with oils were used to light homes and pathways.
During the Middle Ages, Egyptians advanced their methods of lighting, developing oil lamps and decorative lanterns. In the Mamluk era, streets were illuminated on a wider scale, and artisans excelled in architectural innovation, producing intricately designed lanterns adorned with refined artistic motifs.
Gamal Shaqra, professor of modern history, told Arab News: “The story of the Ramadan lantern is widely traced back to the Fatimid era, with several narratives surrounding its origin. One account links it to Jawhar Al-Siqilli, the general who founded Cairo and built Al-Azhar Mosque, and to the arrival of Caliph Al-Muizz li-Din Allah in 969 A.D.
“According to this, Egyptians welcomed the Fatimid caliph by carrying lanterns to light his path, using them as both illumination and a gesture of celebration.”
He added: “Following this historic scene, lanterns began to be used to light streets and public spaces. Over time, the lantern evolved into a defining symbol of Ramadan festivities, as children took to the streets carrying their brightly lit lanterns and chanting traditional songs celebrating the holy month.
“The tradition continued to flourish during the Ayyubid and Mamluk periods, with lantern designs becoming increasingly diverse. In the era of Mohammad Ali, the craft saw further development, as lanterns were manufactured from metal sheets and fitted with colored glass, marking a significant evolution in both design and production.”
Methods of manufacturing the Ramadan lantern have diversified over time, alongside the evolution of its artistic designs in the modern era.
With the advancement of tools and technology, merchants have increasingly introduced wooden lanterns crafted using laser-cut techniques, offering intricate patterns and contemporary styles.
Despite these innovations, handcrafted lanterns continue to retain their distinctive value and authenticity. Made by skilled artisans, these traditional pieces remain deeply cherished, preserving the spirit of heritage and craftsmanship associated with the holy month.
Artist Mohamed Abla told Arab News that the design of the Ramadan lantern was inspired by the form of the mishkat — the ornate niche found in mosques that embodies Islamic art and traditionally serves as a source of illumination.
He added that the lantern had long been a subject for visual artists, who had depicted it in their paintings as a symbol of folk heritage and the enduring traditions associated with celebrating the holy month.
During a tour of popular marketplaces, a clear variation in lantern prices was noted, reflecting the craftsmanship and effort invested in their production.
In the tourist markets along Al-Moeaz Street, brass and bronze lanterns are prominently displayed in antique shops, showcasing elaborate designs that appeal to both visitors and collectors seeking traditional Ramadan decor.
