Israel says it killed Islamic Jihad member in Syria

The Israeli military announced on Thursday that it had successfully targeted and killed a senior figure of the Palestinian group, Islamic Jihad, in Syria.

This operation marks a significant escalation in Israel’s ongoing efforts to neutralise threats beyond its borders.

According to a statement released by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), the individual killed was a key operative responsible for orchestrating attacks against Israel and had been operating out of Syria, which has been a base for several fighter groups in recent years. The strike reportedly took place in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria’s capital, although the exact location and details of the operation were not disclosed.

The targeted individual has been identified by Islamic Jihad as one of its prominent commanders, although the group has not yet confirmed the death. The Jihadi group, which is backed by Iran, has a significant presence in both Gaza and Syria and has been involved in numerous rocket attacks and other hostilities against Israel.

The Syrian government, which is allied with Iran and has allowed various groups to operate on its territory, has not yet commented on the incident. However, in the past, Damascus has condemned Israeli strikes as violations of its sovereignty.

The strike comes amid heightened tensions in the region, with ongoing hostilities between Israel and fighter groups in Gaza and a complex geopolitical landscape involving multiple state and non-state actors.

This latest development is likely to further strain the already volatile relations between Israel and the various factions aligned with Iran in the region, potentially leading to retaliatory actions by Islamic Jihad or its allies.

The international community is watching closely as this situation unfolds, with concerns that the violence could spill over into a broader conflict.

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