Israeli Airstrikes in Syria's Palmyra Kill Scores in Deadliest Raid on Pro-Iran Forces

The strikes targeted sites linked to Iran-backed militias, killing at least 36 to 82 people, including foreign fighters, and causing significant destruction.

Israeli airstrikes on Wednesday hit three locations in the Syrian town of Palmyra, including a weapons depot and a meeting of Iran-backed militia leaders.
Casualty reports vary, with Syrian state media reporting 36 deaths, while the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights places the toll at 82, including foreign fighters from Iraq and Lebanon.
The strikes reportedly caused significant material damage in residential and industrial areas, though Palmyra's historic UNESCO World Heritage ruins remain undamaged according to initial assessments.
Israel has intensified its operations in Syria since its conflict with Hezbollah escalated in late 2023, targeting Iran-linked groups it accuses of threatening its security.
This attack marks one of the deadliest Israeli raids in Syria since the civil war began in 2011, with ongoing regional tensions involving Lebanon and Hezbollah complicating ceasefire talks.