Damascus, Syria – Multiple deaths have been reported across Syria, Lebanon, and Gaza as a result of Israeli airstrikes and clashes on Wednesday. The Syrian defense ministry confirmed 36 casualties and over 50 injuries in Israeli airstrikes on the city of Palmyra. However, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported a higher death toll of up to 61 people, with casualties expected to rise due to the severity of injuries.
The Israeli strikes in Palmyra targeted buildings in the city, resulting in significant material damage. Among the casualties, 33 were Syrians affiliated with Iranian militias, 22 were non-Syrians, four were from Hezbollah, and two were unidentified individuals. These strikes mark the deadliest violence in Syria since the conflict between Iran-backed Hezbollah and Israel escalated on September 23.
In Gaza, the civil defense agency confirmed the deaths of at least 17 individuals, including a baby, in Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian territory. The Israeli military reported the loss of one soldier and another seriously wounded during combat in northern Gaza. The escalating violence has forced over 100,000 people to flee to Gaza City and nearby areas, according to Louise Wateridge, a spokesperson for the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA.
The Israeli military also reported the deaths of three soldiers, including a 70-year-old reservist, in south Lebanon where clashes with Hezbollah have been ongoing. The conflict in both Gaza and Lebanon has intensified following the initial attack by Hamas on Israel in October 2023. The Israeli military emphasized that its operations are targeted against the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon, not the Lebanese Armed Forces.
The ongoing violence in the region has drawn condemnation from various parties, with the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denouncing the Israeli aggression in Palmyra. The conflict continues to escalate, with casualties mounting on all sides and international efforts underway to secure a truce. The situation remains volatile, with no immediate signs of a peaceful resolution in sight.
