Israeli fighter jets launched a barrage of attacks on militant positions in Damascus, Syria, on Thursday, with reports indicating at least 15 people were killed and 16 others wounded, including women and children. The strikes targeted the al-Mezzeh neighborhood, as reported by Syrian state media, with confirmation that several buildings were damaged.
The Israeli military stated the operation aimed to inflict "significant damage" to a command center associated with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, a group that receives backing from Iran. The military has accused the Syrian government of facilitating the militia’s presence on its soil.
For several years, Israeli airstrikes have targeted sites within Syria to deter the operations of Iranian-backed groups like Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. While Israel typically maintains a policy of ambiguity regarding individual attacks, recent weeks have seen officials increasingly acknowledge responsibility for these strikes.
On Tuesday, Israeli military chief Herzi Halevi emphasized ongoing operations, stating, "We are conducting deep strikes and striking frequently in Syria and along the Syria-Lebanon border to prevent weapons transfers to Hezbollah."
Additionally, Iranian state media reported that one missile strike in Damascus occurred near a gathering involving a high-ranking Iranian official, Ali Larijani, and Syria’s National Security Committee director; however, Larijani reportedly escaped unharmed. As tensions continue to rise, these recent attacks reflect the ongoing conflict dynamics in the region.
