Israeli airstrikes kill 15 in Damascus, target Palestinian Islamic Jihad offices

Damascus (AP): At least 15 people have been killed in Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings in Damascus, Syrian state media reported on Thursday.

The strikes targeted the Mazzeh neighbourhood and the Qudssaya area in the Damascus countryside, causing widespread destruction and leaving 16 others injured. Syrian authorities have warned that the death toll could rise.

The Israeli military confirmed the air raids, stating that they were aimed at several buildings and command centres belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), a Gaza-based militant group. The strikes are described by Israel as a significant blow to the group and its operatives.

A PIJ official told The Associated Press that the Mazzeh strike specifically targeted one of their offices, killing several members of the group. PIJ has been linked to the October 7 attacks on Israel, carried out in coordination with Hamas.

Israel has been targeting Iranian and Hezbollah-linked infrastructure in Syria for years, but recent weeks have seen an intensification of these operations. This strike is seen as the first significant targeting of PIJ in Syria in recent times.

The Mazzeh area, home to high-rise blocks, has historically housed leaders of Palestinian factions, including Hamas and PIJ, as well as members of Hezbollah and Iran's Revolutionary Guard.

Residents who fled following recent strikes indicated that key figures from these groups were among those killed. Israel's ongoing efforts to disrupt weapons supply lines to Hezbollah are also seen as part of its broader strategy in Syria.