Israeli warplanes fired missiles near Lebanon's northern border with Syria early Saturday, severing access to the last border crossing that had remained open through the month long war, security officials said. The Arida crossing, about 2 kilometers (1 mile) from the Mediterranean coast, was the last escape route for besieged Lebanese and for humanitarian aid entering the country from Syria. The United Nations has a depot for relief supplies at the site. Israeli jets targeted the highway linking Arida with the northern city of Tripoli, the officials said. The highway was heavily damaged in Qleiaat, blocking the passage to and from Arida, the Associated Press reported. Qleiaat is about 8 kilometers (five miles) from the border.
