Smoke rises from sites in Palmyra, Syria struck by Israel, November 21, 2024

Israel’s airstrikes have killed at least 36 people in Palmyra in central Syria.

The Assad regime’s Defense Ministry said more than 50 people were wounded amid “significant material damage”.

The Ministry said the Israelis targeted a number of buildings in the attack. It did not identify whether the site was military or civilian; however, video indicated an ammunition depot was detonated.

A leading analyst of the Syrian conflict said all 36 fatalities were Assad regime troops, members of Lebanon’s Hezbollah, or other foreign fighters. A regime general is among those slain.

Unconfirmed claims said 61 people were slain, with the toll expected to rise because of seriously injured victims. The claims said the fatalities include 33 Syrians affiliated with Iranian militias; 26 non-Syrians, including four from Hezbollah; and two of unknown affiliation.

Since the Syrian uprising began in March 2011, Israel has regularly struck targets of the Assad regime and its essential backers, Iran and Hezbollah.

The attacks have tried to stop Iran’s supply of missiles and weapons to Hezbollah. Israel has also carried out targeted assassinations of commanders and officers.