Israel’s Airstrikes in Damascus and Lebanon: A Significant Escalation in Regional Conflict

At least 15 people were killed and 16 injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes targeting Damascus and a nearby suburb on Thursday, according to Syria’s state news agency, SANA. The strikes impacted the Mazzeh neighborhood and Qudsaya suburb, damaging buildings and further heightening regional tensions.

The Israeli military confirmed it targeted Islamic Jihad infrastructure and command sites in Syria, claiming significant impact on the group’s leadership and operatives. These strikes mark a critical point in the escalating hostilities across the region as Israel continues its response to the deadly October 7 attacks attributed to Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

The airstrikes in Damascus coincided with a planned meeting between Ali Larijani, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader, and Palestinian representatives at the Iranian Embassy. Iran, a longstanding supporter of Syrian President Bashar Assad, has provided military advisors and fighters to Syria since the 2011 civil war.

Escalation in Lebanon

In Lebanon, Israeli airstrikes hit various locations, killing at least nine and injuring five in Baalbek. The intensified airstrikes follow Hezbollah’s initiation of cross-border fire on October 8, in alignment with Hamas. Lebanon’s Health Ministry reports over 3,300 deaths since then, with nearly 14,500 wounded and 1.2 million displaced.

Israeli forces reportedly struck 300 targets in Lebanon over the past week, including Hezbollah command sites and weapons storage in Beirut’s southern Dahiyeh district. The ongoing violence has led Israel to issue evacuation warnings for Beirut suburbs as aerial bombardments increase.

UN Peacekeeping Efforts in Lebanon Under Strain

United Nations peacekeeping forces (UNIFIL) in Lebanon remain at their posts despite intense fighting along the Blue Line border. UN Peacekeeping Chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to its mission, stressing the importance of maintaining a presence to support future peace initiatives.

The escalating Israel-Hamas war has drawn Lebanon, Syria, and Iran into a broader conflict that shows no sign of de-escalating. As the toll mounts, international calls for restraint grow, but with both sides deeply entrenched, the prospect of a ceasefire remains distant.