Wed Nov 20 17:57:12 UTC 2024: ## Israeli Airstrike on Palmyra Kills Dozens Amid Heightened Regional Tensions

**DAMASCUS, Syria** – An Israeli airstrike on the Syrian city of Palmyra has killed at least 36 people and wounded 50, Syrian state media reported Wednesday. The Syrian Ministry of Defence confirmed the attack, stating it caused “significant material damage” to residential buildings. The attack, reportedly launched from the al-Tanf area near the Iraqi border – a US-controlled region – comes amidst escalating tensions between Israel and Iran-backed groups, particularly Hezbollah.

The strike is the latest in a series of Israeli attacks in Syria since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, with increased intensity since the October 7th war in Gaza. Israel rarely comments on individual strikes but maintains its commitment to preventing Iran from expanding its influence in Syria. Last week, Israel reported attacks on Syrian-Lebanese border transit routes used to transfer weapons to Hezbollah.

The Palmyra attack coincides with ongoing US-mediated efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah. US envoy Amos Hochstein is currently in the region for talks, but Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stressed that any ceasefire must allow Israel “freedom to act” against Hezbollah, including preventing the group from rearming. Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem has vowed retaliation for Israeli strikes and rejected any agreement compromising Lebanese sovereignty.

Meanwhile, fighting continues on multiple fronts. Lebanese state media reported Israeli shelling and airstrikes in southern Lebanon, while Hezbollah claimed drone attacks on Israeli military bases and rocket fire towards Safed. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported over 3,500 deaths in Lebanon since October, primarily attributed to the Israeli offensive in September. The Israeli army reported 43 civilian and 73 soldier deaths resulting from Hezbollah attacks. The escalating violence casts a shadow over the ongoing ceasefire negotiations, raising doubts about the prospects for a lasting peace.

Read More