Israeli airstrikes in Syria late Sunday night resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, with nearly 40 more wounded, according to Syrian authorities. This attack, marking the highest death toll since the onset of Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas, has intensified the already volatile situation in the Middle East.
The strikes, which targeted several sites in central Syria, reportedly included a research center in Masyaf known for its involvement in the development of weapons. Syrian state media and local officials have condemned the attack, describing it as a "brutal and barbaric aggression" against civilian infrastructure. However, military analysts and intelligence sources suggest that the real targets were military installations and facilities linked to Iranian forces and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, both of which are allied with the Syrian government.
Israeli officials have maintained a policy of ambiguity regarding their military operations in Syria, rarely commenting on specific actions. However, it is widely understood that Israel has conducted hundreds of strikes in Syria in recent years, primarily aimed at disrupting the flow of weapons to Hezbollah and curbing Iranian influence in the region. These operations have increased in frequency and intensity since the war in Gaza began, with Hezbollah and Israeli forces engaging in intermittent exchanges of fire.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a U.K.-based war monitor, reported that among the 25 dead-exceeding the official toll of 18-were Syrian army personnel, members of Hezbollah, and other Iran-backed militias. The Observatory noted that at least five civilians were also killed in the strikes, which hit multiple locations across Hama province and beyond. "The attack on Masyaf's scientific research center is part of Israel's broader strategy to target sites associated with weapons development, including precision missiles and drones," the Observatory stated.
The intensity of Sunday night's strikes was unusual, even by the standards of the long-running Israeli-Syrian conflict. Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabbash described the airstrikes as the most severe the country has experienced since the beginning of the war in Gaza. The strikes not only resulted in significant loss of life but also caused extensive damage to infrastructure. Fires broke out in several areas, including along a highway in Hama province, and significant damage was reported to the region's water and electricity networks.
In addition to the casualties, the strikes have led to further deterioration of Syria's already fragile situation. Muhammad Sumaya, a firefighter from the Hama Fire Brigade, was injured while trying to extinguish fires caused by the bombardment. "We were moving from one place to another to deal with the fires when a missile landed right next to us," Sumaya recounted from his hospital bed.
The attacks have sparked outrage among Syrian officials and citizens alike. Minister of Electricity Mohammad al-Zamel emphasized the extensive damage to civilian infrastructure, criticizing the strikes as a deliberate attack on non-military targets. This sentiment was echoed by many Syrians, including Azzam al-Omar, a photographer for the state news agency SANA, who was injured by shrapnel while documenting the aftermath of the strikes.
While Israel has not officially confirmed its involvement, the strikes are consistent with its long-standing policy of preventing Iranian entrenchment in Syria. The country serves as a critical conduit for Iran to supply weapons and support to Hezbollah, an arrangement that Israel views as an existential threat.
The broader regional context further complicates the situation. On Monday, the U.S. Central Command's General Michael Kurilla met with Israeli military leaders to discuss the escalating tensions in both Lebanon and Syria. The meeting highlighted concerns over the potential for the conflict to spread, particularly given the recent increase in hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces.
Meanwhile, in Lebanon, Hezbollah drones targeted an Israeli building in Nahariya on Monday, causing property damage but no casualties. The Israeli Defense Forces responded by launching airstrikes against Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon, continuing a pattern of tit-for-tat attacks that have characterized the region's volatile security environment.
