Israeli airstrikes near the northern Syrian city of Aleppo early Friday resulted in the deaths of a number of soldiers, according to reports from Syria’s state news media and an independent organization. The attack, which is believed to be one of the heaviest Israeli assaults in the country in years, targeted multiple locations including a weapons depot belonging to Hezbollah, a Lebanese militia supported by Iran.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the casualties included 36 Syrian soldiers, seven Hezbollah fighters, and a Syrian from pro-Iranian militias. The airstrikes have raised concerns among Western officials about the potential escalation of conflict between Israel and Syria, Iran, and their allies in the region.
Tensions have been mounting for months, with Israel engaging in clashes with Hezbollah along the border and carrying out assaults on Iran-linked targets in Syria. American officials have been working to de-escalate the situation, but fears of a wider conflict persist.
Israel’s defense minister, Yoav Gallant, hinted at Israeli responsibility for the airstrikes, stating that they will continue to target Hezbollah wherever they operate. Iran, which supports and arms proxy militias fighting against Israel, has also been involved in the conflict.
The Israeli military has confirmed carrying out a drone strike in southern Lebanon that killed the deputy commander of Hezbollah’s rocket and missile unit. The ongoing exchange of fire between Israel and Hezbollah has displaced thousands of Lebanese and Israelis from their homes.
The United Nations peacekeeping mission along the border expressed deep concern about the violence, which has resulted in civilian casualties and destruction of homes and livelihoods. International pressure has been mounting on Israel to cease hostilities, with the U.N. Security Council passing a resolution for an immediate cease-fire and the U.N. court ruling that Israel must ensure the delivery of assistance to Gaza.
Despite the pressure, Israeli leaders remain committed to their objective of destroying Hamas, both in Gaza and beyond. The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011, has further complicated the situation, with Israel conducting strikes to target Iranian-backed forces.
Russia, a supporter of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has condemned the Israeli airstrikes as a violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law. The relationship between Russia and Israel has been strained, with Russia criticizing Israel’s actions in the region.
Friday’s bombardment is the latest in a series of deadly assaults in Syria, with tensions escalating between Israel, Iran, and their respective allies. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further conflict looming.
