Israeli strike on residential building in Syria's Damascus kills seven civilians, state media says

Rescuers work at the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a residential building in the Mezzah suburb west of the Syrian capital Damascus, Syria's state news agency reported, Syria October 8, 2024. Firas Makdesi

CAIRO - An Israeli airstrike targeted a residential building in the Mezzah suburb west of the Syrian capital Damascus, killing seven civilians and injuring 11 others, Syrian state media reported on Tuesday.

Preliminary reports said the seven civilians included women and children, state media reported citing a military source, adding it also caused "grave" material damage on private properties in surrounding areas.

As per the cited source, the airstrike was conducted through three missiles coming from the direction of the Golan heights.

State media earlier reported that Syria's air defences had intercepted "hostile" targets in the vicinity of Damascus.

Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since last year's Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Israeli territory that sparked the Gaza war.

-(Reuters)