On October 2, 2024, an Israeli airstrike on Damascus, the capital of Syria, resulted in the deaths of three individuals. The strike targeted a residential building in the Mazzeh neighborhood, which is frequented by members of Hezbollah and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to reports from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), two of the three killed were non-Syrian nationals, likely linked to the militant groups that the strike targeted.
This incident marks the second strike in two days in the Mazzeh area, a location known for housing security headquarters and embassies. A similar strike on the previous day killed six people, including a TV anchor and three Hezbollah militants. While the Israeli government has not confirmed responsibility, they have repeatedly stated they will not allow Iran to establish a stronger presence in Syria.
Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes in Syria since the beginning of the civil war in 2011, focusing on Iran-backed militias such as Hezbollah. These strikes have intensified since October 2023, following attacks by Palestinian militants in Israel. The Israeli government continues to justify these actions as defensive measures against Iran’s expanding influence in the region.
The escalation of airstrikes underscores the ongoing tensions between Israel and Iran, with Syria often serving as a proxy battleground. Civilians continue to be caught in the crossfire, raising concerns about the humanitarian toll of these attacks. The situation remains volatile, with both sides entrenched in their respective positions.
