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 Israel Hasn’t Captured Any Villages in Southern Lebanon

Smoke rises from Odeisseh in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, 17 October 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Smoke rises from Odeisseh in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, 17 October 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
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Hezbollah Says Israel Hasn’t Captured Any Villages in Southern Lebanon

Smoke rises from Odeisseh in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, 17 October 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI
Smoke rises from Odeisseh in southern Lebanon, as seen from northern Israel, 17 October 2024. EPA/ATEF SAFADI

A Hezbollah lawmaker said on Thursday the Israeli military had not so far captured any villages in southern Lebanon.

"They thought that by assassinating our leader and committing crimes against our people they would achieve what they want, and some rushed to reap the results, but the resistance has begun a new phase of resisting the aggression," MP Hassan Fadlallah said.

"The choice of the resistance leadership is to continue fighting with all means to prevent the enemy from achieving its goals and force it to stop its aggression," he added.

Fadlallah also told reporters that Hezbollah's leadership was carefully coordinating with Speaker Nabih Berri in efforts to secure a ceasefire in the fighting with Israeli forces.

Hezbollah said Thursday it has destroyed two Israeli tanks near the Lebanese border with "guided missiles", after close combat with Israeli troops staging incursions in the area.

The group targeted two Merkava tanks in Labbouneh near the coastal border town of al-Naqoura, as attacks escalated after Israel intensified bombing of the country last month. The attacks burned the tanks and caused casualties, Hezbollah said.

Hezbollah later targeted a group of soldiers between Kfarkila and Adaisseh.

The group also targeted Thursday Kfar Vradim and Misgav Am in northern Israel.

The Israeli military said it has killed a local Hezbollah commander in a southern Lebanese town near the border.

The military said Thursday that an airstrike on Bint Jbeil killed Hussein Awada, who it said was in charge of firing projectiles into Israel from areas near the town.

Israel bombed several towns in south Lebanon, including Houla, Zawtar, Arnoun, Aita al-Shaab, Anqoun, al-Rihan, Arab Salim, Kounine, Hanine, Ramia, Kfarkila, Kfarshouba, Shebaa and Siddiqine.

The Israeli army also ordered residents of al-Hawsh, al-Abbasiyeh, Tayr Dibba and Bourj el-Shemali in the Tyre district to evacuate and later struck the area.

In the eastern Bekaa valley, Israel's army raided the towns of Tamnnine, Saraaine and Sefri.

Military spokesman Avichay Adraee had ordered residents of the towns to leave, warning that the area would again be targeted by Israeli forces.