Israel's Targeted Strike on Hezbollah Official in Damascus
On December 3, 2024, the Israeli military confirmed the assassination of a senior Hezbollah official, Salman Nimr Jumaa, in a targeted airstrike in Damascus, Syria. The strike, which occurred in the afternoon, was aimed at a vehicle near Damascus International Airport. Israeli spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that Jumaa played a crucial role in coordinating Hezbollah's operations within the Syrian military framework, particularly in the transfer of combat equipment between the Syrian army and Hezbollah. This operation is seen as part of Israel's broader strategy to weaken Hezbollah's military presence in Syria and disrupt its supply lines.
The Lebanese security source corroborated the details of Jumaa's death, indicating that the strike was part of a series of intensified Israeli operations in Syria, particularly since the onset of the Al-Aqsa Intifada last year. The Israeli military has been focusing on Iranian leaders and Hezbollah's logistical networks, with a significant increase in airstrikes reported. According to the Harmoon Center for Contemporary Studies, Israel conducted 54 airstrikes in Syria from mid-October to mid-November 2024, with the majority targeting strategic locations in Homs, highlighting the region's importance in facilitating Iranian support to Hezbollah.
