Israeli airstrikes targeted several sites in southern Syria early Sunday, resulting in a soldier being wounded, as reported by Syrian state media. The strikes, originating from the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights around 12:42 a.m. local time, were partially intercepted by Syrian air defenses. The attacks caused 'material losses' and led to the injury of a soldier, according to a statement from the state news agency SANA.
Additionally, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based opposition war monitor, indicated that Israeli airstrikes also struck two military locations in the Qalamoun mountains northeast of Damascus. One of the targets was identified as a weapons shipment, with the area being known for Hezbollah's operations.
These recent strikes mark the 24th instance of Israeli military action inside Syria since the start of 2024. The attacks have resulted in the deaths of 43 fighters affiliated with various groups, including Hezbollah and Iran's Revolutionary Guard, along with nine civilians.
Israeli authorities have not issued an immediate response to the reported airstrikes. Israel has a history of targeting Iran-linked sites in Syria, often without official acknowledgment. The frequency of these strikes has notably increased in the past five months, coinciding with the conflict in Gaza and ongoing tensions between Hezbollah and Israeli forces along the Lebanon-Israel border.
Notably, the Israeli military disclosed that it has conducted approximately 4,500 strikes against Hezbollah targets in the last five months, primarily in Lebanon, with a few operations in Syria. The army emphasized its stance against allowing Hezbollah to establish a presence on the Syrian front.
