IRGC Fired Rockets From Syria but Fell Short: Israel Army

Israel's Iron Dome defense system is designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells | AFP
Israel's Iron Dome defense system is designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells | AFP
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IRGC Fired Rockets From Syria but Fell Short: Israel Army

Israel's Iron Dome defense system is designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells | AFP
Israel's Iron Dome defense system is designed to intercept and destroy incoming short-range rockets and artillery shells | AFP

Iranian-backed Shiite militias fired rockets at Israel from Syria on Monday but they fell short, the Israeli military said.

“A number of rockets were launched by Shi’ite militias operating under the command of the Iranian Quds Force from Syrian territory near Damascus,” the military said, referring to the overseas arm of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.

“All failed to hit Israeli territory.”

The statement came after overnight airstrikes in Syria hit positions of pro-Iranian forces in eastern Syria overnight, killing 18 fighters, according to a war monitor.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights did not immediately identify who carried out the strikes.

Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes in neighboring Syria against what it says are Iranian and Hezbollah targets, but rarely acknowledges them.

An Israeli military spokeswoman declined to comment on whether Israel was behind the latest strikes.

Israel has vowed to prevent Iran, its main enemy, from entrenching itself militarily in Syria.

Iran, its allied militias and Russia have backed Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad in the country's devastating eight-year civil war.



Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
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Hamas, Two Other Palestinian Groups Say Gaza Ceasefire Deal 'Closer Than Ever'

Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)
Palestinians inspect damages in the aftermath of Israeli strikes, following a Hamas surprise attack, at Beach refugee camp, in Gaza City, October 9, 2023. (Reuters)

Hamas and two other Palestinian militant groups said on Saturday that a Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is "closer than ever", provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

"The possibility of reaching an agreement (for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange deal) is closer than ever, provided the enemy stops imposing new conditions," Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine said in a rare joint statement issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.

Last week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States were held in Doha, rekindling hope of an agreement.

A Hamas leader told AFP on Saturday that talks had made "significant and important progress" in recent days.

"Most points related to the ceasefire and prisoner exchange issues have been agreed upon," he said on condition of anonymity as he was not authorized to speak publicly on the issue.

"Some unresolved points remain, but they do not hinder the process. The agreement could be finalized before the end of this year, provided it is not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu's new conditions."