According to the Syrian state news agency SANA, Israel has launched assaults on the Mazzeh neighborhood in Damascus. This reported activity comes just one day after a barrage of airstrikes targeting what Israel claimed were militant locations in the Syrian capital.
This morning, explosions were noted in areas surrounding Damascus.
SANA reported, “Israeli aggression targets the Mazzeh district in Damascus,” although no additional information was provided.
Israel has yet to respond publicly to these accusations.
The Mazzeh district, known for its tall residential buildings, has historically housed leaders from various Palestinian factions, including groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
State media indicated that yesterday’s Israeli bombings resulted in the deaths of 20 individuals, with strikes hitting residential complexes in both Mazzeh and the Qudsaya suburb. Israel maintained that these operations aimed at military installations and the headquarters of Islamic Jihad.
In a separate development, the Israeli military proclaimed it hit logistical routes along the Syrian-Lebanese border, which are believed to facilitate the transfer of arms to Hezbollah.
Reports from Syrian state media confirm that an Israeli strike entirely obliterated a bridge in Qusayr, located in southwestern Syria’s Homs province, near the northern Lebanese frontier.
On the diplomacy front, a senior official from Iran expressed support for any agreements reached during Lebanon’s discussions aimed at establishing a ceasefire with Israel. This statement reflects Tehran’s desire to curb the ongoing conflict that has significantly impacted its ally, Hezbollah.
Israel intensified its air offensive in Hezbollah-dominated southern Beirut for the fourth consecutive day, demolishing buildings and increasing the intensity of strikes as signs of potential US-led diplomatic efforts towards a ceasefire emerged.
Two senior political figures in Lebanon informed Reuters that the US ambassador had presented a ceasefire draft to Lebanon’s parliamentary speaker, Nabih Berri, just yesterday. Berri, who has the backing of Hezbollah for negotiations, held discussions with Iranian official Ali Larijani today.
When asked at a press conference if his visit aimed to sabotage the US ceasefire plans, Larijani firmly stated, “We are not looking to undermine anything. We hope for a resolution to the issues at hand.”
Larijani further asserted, “We unconditionally support the Lebanese government. The disruptions are coming from Netanyahu and his administration,” referring to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Hezbollah, originally formed by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982, has long been armed and funded by the Iranian government, bolstering its influence in the Lebanese conflict.
A senior diplomat, who chose to remain unnamed, speculated that more time would be required to finalize a ceasefire. However, there’s a glimmer of optimism that a solution could be on the horizon.
The outgoing US administration seems eager to foster a ceasefire in Lebanon, despite the stalled efforts to wrap up Israel’s concurrent military actions in Gaza.
Major world powers are advocating for a ceasefire in Lebanon that adheres to the principles outlined in UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which marked the conclusion of the 2006 conflict between Hezbollah and Israel. This resolution calls for Hezbollah to relocate its weapons and personnel north of the Litani River, situated approximately 20 kilometers from the border.
Israel insists it must reserve the right to act if Hezbollah breaches any agreement; however, Lebanon has rejected this stipulation.
Latest insights from the Middle East suggest an urgency to address this escalating conflict.
During his meeting with Larijani, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati emphasized the need for support regarding Lebanon’s commitment to implementing Resolution 1701, calling it a priority alongside stopping the “Israeli aggression,” as conveyed in a statement from his office.
Larijani reiterated that “Iran stands behind any decisions made by the Lebanese government, especially concerning Resolution 1701,” as noted in the statement.
The Israeli military launched its comprehensive ground and air operations against Hezbollah in late September after nearly a year of escalating cross-border tensions, coinciding with the ongoing Gaza conflict. Israel asserts its goal is to ensure the safe return of the tens of thousands of Israelis who evacuated northern territories amid ongoing threats from Hezbollah.
This military campaign has resulted in more than one million Lebanese being displaced from their homes, sparking a significant humanitarian crisis in the region.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
