Israeli Reports Say Airstrikes Destroyed Missile Factory in Central Syria

Israel attacks targets in Syria from Lebanon's airspace. (Reuters)
Israel attacks targets in Syria from Lebanon's airspace. (Reuters)
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Israeli Reports Say Airstrikes Destroyed Missile Factory in Central Syria

Israel attacks targets in Syria from Lebanon's airspace. (Reuters)
Israel attacks targets in Syria from Lebanon's airspace. (Reuters)

Israeli satellite imagery analysis company ImageSat International has published footage of an Israeli airstrike on the Syrian Masyaf area, located in Hama’s western countryside.

The company said Friday’s airstrikes destroyed four weapons production buildings “probably used for mixing and casting components of missile engines and warheads”.

It also pointed out that "the aim of the attack is to weaken the production of missiles in Syria, which Damascus may be manufacturing for the Lebanese militia, Hezbollah.”

The Israeli strikes on Masyaf have killed a number of Iran-backed fighters.

The dead were all foreign paramilitaries fighting alongside President Bashar al-Assad's forces, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

The missiles, which were fired from Lebanese airspace, hit positions held by Iran-backed militias in Masyaf, Observatory chief Rami Abdul Rahman said.

Another target was a government-run research center, where surface-to-surface missiles are developed and stored, the UK-based watchdog said.

Iranian experts are believed to work in the research center.

The center has been hit several times by Israeli strikes in recent years.

While Moscow, a key backer of the Assad regime, made no comment on the airstrikes, Damascus, however, denounced the attack.

Locals in the Hama and Tartous governorates collected projectile fragments and shrapnel that fell from the sky after Syrian air defenses intercepted the missiles.

According to some locals in the Safita district of the Tartous governorate, at least one missile fell on the village of Matabet.

Syria's Foreign Ministry called on the United Nations Security Council to prevent more Israeli raids against it, condemning Tel Aviv's "unacceptable" attacks.

The ministry described the attack as “a flagrant violation of the Security Council resolution 350 of 1974,” and said it was aimed at hindering the Syrian army’s campaign against foreign-backed “terrorists”.



Hezbollah Says Israeli Attacks will Be Met with 'Appropriate' Response

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)
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Hezbollah Says Israeli Attacks will Be Met with 'Appropriate' Response

Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)
Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem (file photo- Reuters)

Hezbollah said that Israeli attacks on Lebanon would be met with an "appropriate" response after deadly strikes on the country's south on Saturday, urging authorities to halt "humiliating" negotiations with Israel.

Israel "must clearly understand that its attacks, violations and attempts to impose a fait accompli cannot continue, and will be met with an appropriate response", the Iran-backed group said in a statement.

The Lebanese authorities "must not insist on continuing along the humiliating path of direct negotiations and providing the enemy with free concessions".


Aoun: Israeli Strikes Send 'Clear Message' on Negotiations with Lebanon

People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Aoun: Israeli Strikes Send 'Clear Message' on Negotiations with Lebanon

People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Israeli strikes on the country's south on Saturday were a "clear message" on negotiations between the two countries, ahead of the next round of US-sponsored talks early next month in Rome.

Aoun condemned the "ongoing Israeli attacks" on the south and "repeated violations of the framework agreement... and international law on protecting civilians, which led to the death of an entire family in the village of Ansar,” according to a statement from his office, adding that "these violations are a clear message on the negotiation process.”

At least nine people were killed in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Saturday, Lebanon's state news agency said.

Seven people were killed when Israeli warplanes struck a house in Ansar, while two others were killed in a strike on the village of Deir El Zahrani, the National News Agency said. Eleven people were injured in the attacks.

The strikes are among the deadliest ⁠in the weeks ⁠since Lebanon agreed to a US-mediated peace framework with Israel.


Lebanon PM: Those Killed in Israeli Strike Were Not 'Military Infrastructure'

People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon PM: Those Killed in Israeli Strike Were Not 'Military Infrastructure'

People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
People inspect a damaged building after an Israeli airstrike on the village of Ansar, southern Lebanon, 15 August 2026. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said on Saturday that seven people, including two women and three children, killed in an Israeli strike were not military targets, after Israel said it struck Hezbollah "infrastructure.”

"The seven martyrs of the Israeli strike on the village of Ansar are not 'military infrastructure' and the women and children who were killed are not military targets," Salam said, adding that "Israel must halt this escalation,” which he said was "extremely dangerous and undermines efforts to consolidate stability in the south.”

State-run National News Agency said the airstrike targeted a home on the edge of Ansar.

The Israeli military said in a statement that it struck “Hezbollah infrastructure” in the areas of Ali Taher and Ansar in response to an action against Israeli soldiers in the area.

The military added that it will not allow Hezbollah to harm Israeli civilians or soldiers “and will continue to operate to remove threats.”

Israel and the Lebanese government announced a “framework agreement” on June 26, laying out a plan for Israeli forces to withdraw from southern Lebanon, in exchange for Hezbollah’s disarmament.

Hezbollah has refused direct talks and wasn’t party to the deal.