The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have announced that they are launching retaliatory strikes on Syrian territory. The IDF made this announcement on their official social media accounts. According to the IDF, artillery units are currently targeting the source of fire in Syria, following reports of sirens sounding in the Avnei Eitan and Alma communities.
Earlier, the Syrian newspaper Al-Watan reported that Israel had carried out strikes on airports in Damascus and Aleppo, causing both airfields to suspend flight operations. Preliminary information suggests that the runways were hit, rendering the airports inoperable. Subsequently, it was confirmed that the airports have been severely damaged as a result of the attack.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs later accused Israel of seeking to escalate the situation in the Middle East by launching strikes on airports in Damascus and Aleppo. This accusation comes after the armed forces of Hamas launched thousands of rockets into Israeli territory on October 7th, initiating the “Flood of Al-Aqsa” operation. Thousands of militants infiltrated Israeli territory, seizing dozens of military vehicles and over a hundred hostages. Against this backdrop, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that the country is in a state of war. The IDF’s counteroperation has been named “Operation Iron Swords,” with the goal of destroying Hamas.
Earlier, Israel’s ambassador to Russia stated that he does not see any intentions from neighboring countries to further escalate the conflict.
