In Damascus, the number of casualties from overnight airstrikes by Israel in Syria rose to 14 dead and more than 40 injured, according to Syrian state media on Monday morning.
The Israeli airstrikes hit various locations in central Syria late on Sunday, causing damage to a highway in Hama province and setting off fires, as reported by the Syrian state news agency SANA. Initially, Masyaf National Hospital in western Hama province reported four deaths.
According to SANA, citing hospital director Faysal Haydar, the death toll increased to 14 people with 43 wounded. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, stated that at least four of the deceased were civilians.
One of the airstrikes targeted a scientific research center in Maysaf, while others hit locations where “Iranian militias and experts are based to develop weapons in Syria,” as per the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Local media also mentioned strikes near the coastal city of Tartous.
The Israeli military did not provide an immediate comment. Over the past few years, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes on targets in government-controlled areas of Syria, seldom admitting to or discussing these operations. The strikes typically aim at Syrian forces or Iranian-backed groups.
Israel is determined to prevent Iranian presence in Syria, particularly because Syria serves as a crucial pathway for Iran to supply weapons to the Lebanese militant organization Hezbollah.
Hezbollah has been engaged in clashes with Israeli forces for nearly a year, amidst Israel’s conflict with Hamas — an ally of Hezbollah — in Gaza.
