2 killed in Israeli strike on vehicle in Damascus, Syria says
Syria’s defense ministry has accused Israel of targeting a vehicle in Damascus on Monday, resulting in the deaths of “two civilians.”
The Israeli military stated it was investigating the report but could not confirm any details at this time.
According to the Syrian defense ministry, the strike hit a civilian car in the Mazzeh neighborhood, injuring three others and causing damage to nearby private properties.
Pro-government Sham FM radio in Damascus shared a verified video of the aftermath, showing charred remains of the vehicle and damage to the nearby Golden Mazzeh hotel.
The Israeli military claimed the strike was aimed at a senior Hezbollah figure responsible for the group’s financial operations. IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari noted that Jafar Qasir, known as Sheik Salah, was eliminated in a strike in Beirut earlier this month, and that his successor was also targeted in Syria on Monday, though Hagari did not reveal the successor’s identity.
Drones intercepted before they entered Israeli territory, IDF says
On Monday, Israel intercepted five unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Mediterranean Sea before they could enter Israeli airspace, according to a military statement.
The Israeli military noted that there was “no concern for a security incident” near Ben Gurion Airport.
Earlier reports indicated that flight departures from Ben Gurion International Airport were temporarily halted after sirens were activated in numerous northern settlements due to projectiles launched from Lebanon.
A spokesperson for the Israel Airports Authority confirmed to CNN that departing flights were briefly suspended for 15 to 20 minutes on the Israeli Air Force’s instructions, while arriving flights were not affected.