Latest news with #MazraatBeitJin
Al Jazeera
an hour ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Israel strikes Syria again, claims to have killed alleged Hamas member
The Israeli army has again bombed Syria, claiming it killed a Hamas member during an air strike in the south of the country, in the latest in its series of attacks on Syria in the wake of former President Bashar al-Assad's ouster last December. In a statement on Telegram on Sunday morning, the Israeli army said it had struck the alleged Hamas member in the Mazraat Beit Jin area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that one person was killed and two others were wounded in the Israeli attack targeting a vehicle in the town near the United Nations-patrolled buffer zone. Hamas has not yet commented on the death of the alleged member. The observatory says Israel has carried out 61 attacks – 51 by air and 10 by ground – in Syria so far this year. Two rockets launched from Syria targeted Israel earlier this week, a first since the fall of al-Assad. Two groups claimed responsibility for the attack. The first group, named the 'Martyr Mohammed Deif Brigades', is a little-known group named after the Hamas military commander who was killed last year. A second little-known group, the 'Islamic Resistance Front in Syria', called for action against Israel from southern Syria a few months ago. Israel struck southern Syria shortly afterwards, with Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz saying that he was holding Syria 'directly responsible'. Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani condemned Israel's attacks and called them 'coordinated provocations aimed at undermining Syria's progress and stability'. 'These actions create an opening for outlawed groups to exploit the resulting chaos,' he said, adding, 'Syria has made its intentions clear: we are not seeking war, but rather reconstruction'. Syria and Israel had recently engaged in indirect talks to ease tensions, a significant development in relations between states that have been on opposite sides of conflicts in the Middle East for decades. But Israel has relentlessly waged a campaign of aerial bombardment that has destroyed much of Syria's military infrastructure. It has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since the 1967 Arab-Israeli war and taken more territory in the aftermath of al-Assad's removal, citing lingering concerns over the country's new government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who it dismisses as a 'jihadist.' Syria's new government has taken several major steps towards international acceptance after the United States and European Union lifted sanctions on the country last month, giving a nation devastated by nearly 14 years of civil war a lifeline to recovery.
LBCI
4 hours ago
- Politics
- LBCI
Israeli military says it struck Hamas member in southern Syria
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck a member of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in southern Syria's Mazraat Beit Jin, days after Israel carried out its first airstrikes in the country in nearly a month. Hamas did not immediately comment on the strike. Israel said on Tuesday it hit weapons belonging to the government in retaliation for the firing of two projectiles towards Israel for the first time under the country's new leadership. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa accountable. Reuters
The National
12 hours ago
- Politics
- The National
Israel says it struck Hamas member in Syria
Israel's military said on Sunday that it struck a member of Hamas in southern Syria's Mazraat Beit Jin, days after Israel carried out its first strikes on the country in almost a month. Hamas did not immediately comment on the strike. The attack comes after the Israeli army said on Tuesday that it hit weapons belonging to Syria's new government in retaliation for the launch of two projectiles towards Israel, the first attack from the Syrian side since the country's new leadership came to power last year. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said he held Syria's President Ahmad Al Shara responsible for the earlier attack, while Syria's government said reports of shelling aimed at Israel were unverified and stressed that Syria does not pose a threat. 'We believe that there are many parties that may seek to destabilise the region to achieve their own interests,' the Syrian Foreign Ministry said. A little-known group named the Martyr Muhammad Deif Brigades – an apparent reference to a Hamas military leader who was killed in an Israeli strike in 2024 – reportedly claimed responsibility for the previous shelling. Mr Al Shara, a former Al Qaeda affiliate, has sought to portray himself as a moderate leader over the past six months since he led a rebel offensive that toppled Syria's long-time dictator Bashar Al Assad. Israel and Syria have recently engaged in direct talks to calm tensions, marking a significant development in ties between two states that have been on opposing sides of conflicts in the Middle East for decades. The US has called for a 'non-aggression agreement'. Israel has nonetheless pushed further into southern Syria over the past six months and has waged a campaign of aerial bombardment. It has said the strikes are aimed at countering threats from Iran and its proxies, particularly Hezbollah. Syria and Israel have technically been at war since 1948. The most notable event in that time was when Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967 and carried out hundreds of strikes and several incursions. Israel says its latest strikes are aimed at stopping advanced weapons reaching Syria's new authorities.
Arab News
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Israeli military hits Hamas member in southern Syria
CAIRO: The Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck a member of the Palestinian militant group Hamas in southern Syria's Mazraat Beit Jin, days after Israel carried out its first airstrikes in the country in nearly a month. Hamas did not immediately comment on the strike. Israel said on Tuesday it hit weapons belonging to the government in retaliation for the firing of two projectiles toward Israel for the first time under the country's new leadership. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held Syria's President Ahmed Al-Sharaa accountable. Damascus in response said reports of the shelling were unverified, reiterating that Syria does not pose a threat to any regional party. A little known group named 'Martyr Muhammad Deif Brigades,' an apparent reference to Hamas' military leader who was killed in an Israeli strike in 2024, reportedly claimed responsibility for the shelling. Reuters, however, could not independently verify the claim. Israel and Syria have recently engaged in direct talks to calm tensions, marking a significant development in ties between states that have been on opposite sides of conflict in the Middle East for decade.
Asharq Al-Awsat
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Military Says it Struck Hamas Member in Southern Syria
The Israeli military said on Sunday that it struck a Hamas member in southern Syria's Mazraat Beit Jin, days after Israel carried out its first airstrikes in the country in nearly a month. Hamas did not immediately comment on the strike. Israel said on Tuesday it hit weapons belonging to the government in retaliation for the firing of two projectiles towards Israel for the first time under the country's new leadership. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz held Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa accountable. Damascus in response said reports of the shelling were unverified, reiterating that Syria does not pose a threat to any regional party. A little known group named "Martyr Muhammad Deif Brigades," an apparent reference to Hamas' military leader who was killed in an Israeli strike in 2024, reportedly claimed responsibility for the shelling. Reuters, however, could not independently verify the claim. Israel and Syria have recently engaged in direct talks to calm tensions, marking a significant development in ties between states that have been on opposite sides of conflict in the Middle East for decade.
