10 Killed in Israeli Strikes on Qusayr Region, Syria Amid Ongoing Conflict with Hezbollah
Qusayr, Syria – The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli airstrikes on the Qusayr region of Syria, near the Lebanese border, resulted in the deaths of 10 individuals, predominantly civilians, on Thursday. This assault targeted areas controlled by Iran-backed Hezbollah, with Israel confirming its operations aimed at eliminating Hezbollah’s weapons depots.
The Britain-based war monitor detailed that three separate strikes hit the town of Qusayr and its neighboring regions. The most significant of these strikes targeted a weapons depot and a fuel storage facility for Hezbollah located within the industrial district of Qusayr. This attack reportedly killed seven civilians and three Syrian fighters affiliated with Hezbollah. Additionally, at least 11 others were injured in the strikes.
Israeli military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that the operations were intended to disrupt Hezbollah’s weapon supply chain from Iran through Syria, declaring, "weapons depots and headquarters used by" the group were struck in these raids. Reports from Syria’s state-run SANA news agency corroborated Israeli claims, noting damage to Qusayr’s industrial zone and residential neighborhoods.
The Qusayr region has seen an uptick in Israeli strikes since the onset of hostilities with Hezbollah last month, contributing to escalating tensions along the Israel-Syria border. Notably, the primary border crossing known as Masnaa on the Lebanese side was rendered inoperable due to an Israeli airstrike earlier this month, while another crossing facilitating access between Lebanon and Qusayr was also targeted last week.
Israel’s government has accused Hezbollah of utilizing these border crossings to transport weapons from Syria, a situation compounded by the ongoing war in Lebanon, which has driven thousands to seek refuge across these borders. While there are six officially recognized crossings between Lebanon and Syria, various illegal routes operate along the region’s porous border, raising concerns about security and humanitarian conditions amidst the conflict.
As Israel continues its military actions against Hezbollah and its allies, the humanitarian toll in the region remains alarmingly high, drawing attention to the devastating impact of the protracted conflict on civilians.
