Israeli fighter jets unleashed airstrikes on positions in the Syrian capital of Damascus on Thursday, resulting in the death of at least 15 individuals and leaving 16 others, including women and children, wounded, as reported by Syrian state media. The strikes reportedly targeted the al-Mezzeh neighborhood of Damascus around 3:20 p.m. local time, inflicting damage on several buildings.
In a public statement, the Israeli military claimed that the operation dealt "significant damage" to a command center linked to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militia known for its ties to Iran. The Israeli military accused the Syrian government of facilitating the activities of the group within its borders, thus holding it accountable for the consequences.
For years, Israeli aircraft have conducted covert operations in Syria, aiming to disrupt Iranian-backed militant groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad from establishing footholds in the region. While Israel has traditionally refrained from commenting on specific strikes, recent weeks have seen an increase in public acknowledgment from Israeli officials regarding these military actions.
During a statement made on Tuesday, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi elaborated, "We are conducting deep strikes and striking frequently in Syria and along the Syria-Lebanon border to prevent weapons transfers to Hezbollah."
Additionally, Iranian media reported that one of the Israeli missiles struck a location in Damascus that coincided with a meeting attended by a high-ranking Iranian official, Ali Larijani, and the head of Syria's National Security Committee. Fortunately, Mr. Larijani was unharmed in the attack, according to Khabar Online, an Iranian news outlet.
In a public statement, the Israeli military claimed that the operation dealt "significant damage" to a command center linked to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a militia known for its ties to Iran. The Israeli military accused the Syrian government of facilitating the activities of the group within its borders, thus holding it accountable for the consequences.
For years, Israeli aircraft have conducted covert operations in Syria, aiming to disrupt Iranian-backed militant groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad from establishing footholds in the region. While Israel has traditionally refrained from commenting on specific strikes, recent weeks have seen an increase in public acknowledgment from Israeli officials regarding these military actions.
During a statement made on Tuesday, Israeli Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi elaborated, "We are conducting deep strikes and striking frequently in Syria and along the Syria-Lebanon border to prevent weapons transfers to Hezbollah."
Additionally, Iranian media reported that one of the Israeli missiles struck a location in Damascus that coincided with a meeting attended by a high-ranking Iranian official, Ali Larijani, and the head of Syria's National Security Committee. Fortunately, Mr. Larijani was unharmed in the attack, according to Khabar Online, an Iranian news outlet.
