Israel bombs near the Syrian capital, according to state media

An Israeli bombardment hit the surroundings of Damascus, the capital of Syriastate media reported.

“Our air defense intercepted hostile targets around Damascus”said the official Syrian agency Sana. “An Israeli attack reached the surroundings of the capital Damascus”confirmed state television.

Israel does not usually comment on specific attacks in Syria, but has insisted that it will not allow its archenemy Iran, which supports Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, to expand its presence in that country.

Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes on its northern neighbor since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, mostly targeting Iranian-backed and Lebanese Hezbollah forces as well as Syrian army posts.

It intensified attacks after its war that began on October 7 against Hamas, an ally of Hezbollah.