Israeli air strikes on military sites in central Syria have resulted in the deaths of at least 18 people, according to Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabbash. The attacks, which occurred near Masyaf in Hama province, also injured 37 individuals.
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a higher toll, claiming 26 fatalities, including five civilians, four Syrian government forces members, and 14 individuals linked to pro-Iran groups. The targets of the strikes included a scientific research facility near Masyaf, known for its alleged role in weapon development.
The Israeli military has refrained from commenting on the reports, but it has a history of strikes in Syria aimed at Iranian-linked targets and allied armed groups. The strikes have intensified since the onset of the Gaza conflict last October, responding to cross-border attacks from Hezbollah and other factions.
The Syrian state news agency Sana reported that the strikes caused significant damage, including to the Masyaf-Wadi al-Oyoun highway and a fire in the Hair Abbas area. The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the attacks as “blatant aggression,” while Iran labeled them a “criminal attack.”
The Israeli strikes reportedly hit multiple sites and caused infrastructure damage, including a fiber optic cable and a high-voltage power line. Iranian officials denied the reports of attacks on Iranian centers, and a senior regional source close to Damascus and Tehran disputed claims of a major chemical weapons research facility being targeted.
Since the start of the year, Israeli air and artillery strikes have hit Syrian targets on 64 occasions, resulting in the destruction of about 140 sites and the deaths of at least 208 fighters, including members of Hezbollah and Iranian Revolutionary Guards, along with 22 civilians.
