Two IRGC Members Killed in Eastern Syria

Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen standing next to a sign in Arabic which reads “Deir Ezzor welcomes you” in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, Syria. (SANA via AP)
Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen standing next to a sign in Arabic which reads “Deir Ezzor welcomes you” in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, Syria. (SANA via AP)
TT

Two IRGC Members Killed in Eastern Syria

Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen standing next to a sign in Arabic which reads “Deir Ezzor welcomes you” in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, Syria. (SANA via AP)
Syrian troops and pro-government gunmen standing next to a sign in Arabic which reads “Deir Ezzor welcomes you” in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor, Syria. (SANA via AP)

An unidentified drone attacked on Sunday an Iranian Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) vehicle while it was leaving a pre-fabricated building on the outskirts of al-Mayadeen city, in the eastern countryside of Deir Ezzor, sources told the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).

The attack resulted in the destruction of the vehicle and the death of two IRGC members who were on board.

On Friday, the SOHR documented human and material losses due to new Israeli strikes on Syrian territory.

Israeli missiles flying over Lebanese territory destroyed Iranian militias-affiliated warehouses and manufacturing centers for short and medium-range missiles in the scientific research area (the Defense Factories), which is part of al-Zawiya in Masyaf countryside.

Centers and sites were targeted in al-Talay camp in Sheikh Ghadban area in Masyaf countryside as well.

The strikes left six non-Syrian people dead. It is not yet known whether they were IRGC members or pro-Iranian militiamen.

The death toll is expected to rise as some of the injured are in serious condition, amid reports of further casualties.

Masyaf area hosts a center for developing medium-range missiles in al-Zawi village and al-Talay camp.



Israeli Settlers Set Fire to Mosque in West Bank in Latest Violent Attack on Palestinian Villages

Palestinians inspect the damage done to a mosque, after a reported attack by Israeli settlers, in the town of Marda near the West Bank city of Salfit on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Palestinians inspect the damage done to a mosque, after a reported attack by Israeli settlers, in the town of Marda near the West Bank city of Salfit on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
TT

Israeli Settlers Set Fire to Mosque in West Bank in Latest Violent Attack on Palestinian Villages

Palestinians inspect the damage done to a mosque, after a reported attack by Israeli settlers, in the town of Marda near the West Bank city of Salfit on December 20, 2024. (AFP)
Palestinians inspect the damage done to a mosque, after a reported attack by Israeli settlers, in the town of Marda near the West Bank city of Salfit on December 20, 2024. (AFP)

Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque and vandalized property in the northern occupied West Bank on Friday, the head of the Palestinian village council said, as Israeli police pledged to investigate the episode.

The West Bank has seen a surge in violence by Jewish settlers during the war in Gaza, and rights groups say the Israeli army often turns a blind eye.

Nasfat al-Khafash, the head of the council in Marda where the attack occurred, said a group of settlers arrived early in the morning, setting the mosque on fire and scrawling hateful messages on it.

Associated Press video showed spray-painted stars of David and the words in Hebrew, “the mosque will burn, the temple will be built,” an apparent reference to the ultranationalist desire to establish a Third Temple for Jews in Jerusalem at the holiest and most contested site in the Holy Land.

“These slogans reflect their upbringing and hatred towards Palestinians and Arabs,” said al-Khafash, adding that the settlers received “full support” from the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu — the furthest-right government in Israel’s history.

Israel’s police, military and Shin Bet internal security agency said they were investigating the episode. “We view the incident seriously and will act with determination to bring those responsible to justice,” they said in a statement.

The UN’s humanitarian office said settler attacks on Palestinian farmers during this fall's olive harvest season “at least tripled” in 2024 compared to the each of the last three years.

In the West Bank and east Jerusalem, more than 700,000 Jewish settlers have Israeli citizenship, while the 3 million Palestinians in the territory live under Israeli military law.