Israeli Airstrikes Target Homs, Civilians Killed and Wounded
Israeli airstrikes in the central city of Homs and surrounding areas have reportedly resulted in civilian casualties, according to the Syrian military. The strikes, which took place late Tuesday, have raised concerns about escalating tensions in the Middle East. The Israeli government has not yet issued a comment regarding the incident.
The Syrian state news agency, SANA, quoted an unidentified military official who stated that the strikes caused damage to both private and public property but did not provide further details. Reports suggest that the Israeli jets launched the attack from over the Mediterranean Sea, near the Lebanese coastal city of Tripoli.
Sham FM radio station, known for its pro-government stance, reported that the airstrikes targeted areas including the affluent al-Malaab neighborhood and Hamra Street. It also mentioned that farmland in al-Waer was hit, causing fires but no casualties.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Humanitarian Rights, a Britain-based war monitor with pro-opposition leanings, at least six civilians were killed in the strikes, including a woman and a child. The organization also reported that two members of the Lebanese Hezbollah group, known for its support of the Syrian government, were among those killed. The casualties were said to be located in a building on Hamra Street, which appeared to be the target of one of the strikes. Search operations for potential survivors are still ongoing.
The Israeli airstrikes come during a period of heightened tensions in the Middle East. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has already strained the region, and a recent drone attack in northeastern Jordan near the Syrian border further fuels the tension. In that attack, three U.S. troops lost their lives and dozens were injured.
It is worth noting that Israel has carried out numerous strikes in Syria in recent years, mainly targeting bases of Iran-allied militant groups such as Hezbollah. The Lebanese organization has deployed thousands of fighters to support Syrian President Bashar Assad's forces. Israel has also targeted individuals from Iran's paramilitary Revolutionary Guard in Syria, including a high-ranking general in December last year.
Israel usually refrains from officially acknowledging its actions in Syria. However, these airstrikes, resulting in civilian casualties, have raised concerns about the international implications and further escalation of conflicts in the already war-torn country.
Reporting for this article was contributed by Chehayeb from Beirut.
