Israeli Airstrike on Syria’s Palmyra Kills 36, Injures Over 50

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An Israeli airstrike on Syria's historic city of Palmyra has resulted in the deaths of 36 people and injuries to over 50, Syrian state media reported on Wednesday. The attack, which took place at around 1:30 PM local time, targeted residential buildings and an industrial zone in the city located in the Syrian desert. The Syrian defense ministry confirmed the incident.

While the Israeli military declined to comment on the attack, Syrian state media, quoting a military official, stated that the airstrike originated from the al-Tanf area. The report noted that the strike also caused significant damage to the targeted buildings and surrounding areas.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a higher toll, with 41 people killed, including Syrian and foreign fighters. Many of the casualties were reportedly pro-Iranian fighters from Iraq, particularly members of the Al-Nujaba Brigades, a Tehran-backed militia.

Israel has regularly targeted sites in Syria in recent years, often citing concerns over Iranian influence and weapon transfers to Hezbollah. However, it has rarely commented on specific strikes. Last week, the Israeli military acknowledged airstrikes targeting weapons transfer routes along the Syrian-Lebanese border.

Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was previously seized and partially destroyed by Islamic State (ISIS) fighters in 2015 before being recaptured by Syrian forces.

The Israeli attacks in Syria have intensified following the escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict in October 2023. Despite the violence, Syria has attempted to remain neutral in the broader Israel-Hamas tensions.