Israeli Drone Strike Kills Senior Hezbollah Official Near Damascus Airport
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A senior official from Lebanon’s Hezbollah was killed on Tuesday in an Israeli drone strike targeting a vehicle near Damascus International Airport, according to multiple reports.
The Syrian government’s official news agency, SANA, cited a source in the Damascus countryside police command confirming the attack. The targeted vehicle was reportedly struck near the Jisr Aqraba area, home to a military airbase used by helicopters.
Strategic Target
A security source quoted by Reuters stated that the strike killed a Hezbollah liaison officer responsible for coordination with the Syrian military. This development comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with Israeli airstrikes in Syria increasing in frequency.
Israeli military officials have neither confirmed nor denied the strike, consistent with their policy of silence regarding such operations. However, Israeli leaders have repeatedly emphasized their intent to prevent Hezbollah and Iran-backed militias from establishing strongholds near Israel’s borders.
Geopolitical Implications
The strike near Damascus Airport underscores Israel’s ongoing campaign to disrupt the activities of Iranian-linked forces and their allies in Syria. The airport and its surrounding areas have frequently been targeted, as they serve as key logistical hubs for Iranian arms shipments to Hezbollah.
This incident follows a series of similar strikes, including one earlier this year targeting an arms convoy on the Damascus-Beirut highway. Analysts believe these operations are part of a broader Israeli effort to curb the influence of Hezbollah and Iran in Syria.
Rising Tensions
While Syria and Hezbollah have yet to issue official statements, the attack is expected to provoke a response. The ongoing shadow war between Israel and Iran-aligned forces in Syria continues to escalate, posing risks of broader regional conflict.
Observers warn that such strikes, while strategically aimed, could lead to unintended consequences, further destabilizing an already fragile security environment in Syria and its neighboring countries.
Background
Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes in Syria since the beginning of the country’s civil war in 2011. These strikes primarily target Iranian militias, Hezbollah, and Syrian government military assets linked to Tehran’s regional agenda.
This latest strike reaffirms Israel’s commitment to countering what it perceives as existential threats from Iranian proxies operating near its borders. However, the targeted killing of high-ranking Hezbollah operatives marks a significant escalation in this ongoing conflict.
The international community is closely monitoring developments, urging restraint to prevent further escalation.