The Israeli army has carried out another bombing raid in Syria, claiming to have killed a Hamas member in an air strike in the southern part of the country. This attack comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Syria, following the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad last December. According to the Israeli army’s statement on Telegram, the alleged Hamas member was struck in the Mazraat Beit Jin area.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported one person killed and two others wounded in the Israeli attack targeting a vehicle near the United Nations-patrolled buffer zone. However, Hamas has not yet commented on the death of the alleged member. This incident marks part of a larger pattern of aggression, with the observatory reporting 61 Israeli attacks in Syria so far this year, including 51 by air and 10 by ground.
In response to the attack, Syria’s Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned Israel’s actions, calling them “coordinated provocations aimed at undermining Syria’s progress and stability.” He emphasized that “these actions create an opening for outlawed groups to exploit the resulting chaos,” and reiterated that “Syria has made its intentions clear: we are not seeking war, but rather reconstruction.”
Two little-known groups claimed responsibility for a recent rocket attack on Israel from Syria, which marked the first such incident since the fall of al-Assad. The groups are the “Martyr Mohammed Deif Brigades” and the “Islamic Resistance Front in Syria”. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz held Syria “directly responsible” for the rocket attack and vowed to take action.
Despite recent indirect talks between Syria and Israel aimed at easing tensions, Israel has continued its campaign of aerial bombardment, destroying much of Syria’s military infrastructure. Israel has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and has taken more territory since al-Assad’s removal, citing concerns over the new government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whom it dismisses as a “jihadist”.
Syria’s new government has made significant strides towards international acceptance after the United States and European Union lifted sanctions on the country last month, providing a lifeline for recovery after nearly 14 years of civil war.