An Israeli drone strike on Wednesday targeted a vehicle near the Syrian-Lebanese border, killing four individuals, including three members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and one member of Hezbollah, according to reports from security sources. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed that among those killed was Faris Qasim, a significant operative within PIJ’s Operations Division.
The strike occurred at a Syrian checkpoint on a road connecting Damascus, the capital of Syria, with Beirut, the capital of Lebanon. The IDF stated that Qasim played a crucial role in advancing PIJ’s operational plans in Syria and Lebanon and was involved in recruiting Palestinians into Hezbollah’s ranks for potential attacks against Israel.
A Vehicle in Western Syria on the Beirut-Damascus Highway has been Targeted by an Israel Airstrike, resulting in multiple Casualties. pic.twitter.com/IZfcCFsgdI
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 28, 2024
Neither Hezbollah nor the Palestinian Islamic Jihad has issued any immediate response to the incident.
Additional Documentation from the Israeli Airstrike on a Vehicle near the Border with Lebanon in Western Syria; several Members of Hezbollah are said to have been Eliminated in the Strike. pic.twitter.com/h7vW5wfw2h
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) August 28, 2024
The drone strike is part of a broader pattern of Israeli military actions aimed at preventing the transfer of weapons and the movement of militants in the region. Earlier the same day, another Israeli airstrike targeted a pickup truck in northeastern Lebanon near the Syrian border. That vehicle was reportedly carrying military equipment, potentially a damaged rocket launcher.
Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes in Syria and along the Syrian-Lebanese border in recent years, primarily targeting Iranian-backed groups such as Hezbollah and PIJ. These strikes have intensified since the October 7 attack by Hamas, after which Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad launched several rocket and drone attacks against Israel from southern Lebanon.
In response to ongoing hostilities, the Israeli military also struck multiple Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon later on Wednesday, including observation posts and buildings identified as terror infrastructure.
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