BEIRUT Oct 24, V7N- Israel has launched airstrikes on both Damascus and Homs in Syria, killing one soldier and injuring seven others, as part of its ongoing efforts to target Iranian-linked positions. These strikes are part of an escalation that has intensified since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, sparking the current Gaza war. Syrian media reported explosions in the Kafr Sousa neighborhood of Damascus, where a residential building was hit.

At the same time, Hezbollah has escalated its involvement by firing precision-guided missiles at Israeli targets from Lebanon, marking a new phase in the conflict. In response, Israeli strikes have hit Hezbollah positions near Beirut and Tyre, as well as a pro-Iran broadcaster's office. Three Lebanese soldiers were killed in southern Lebanon during an Israeli strike. The growing exchanges of fire have heightened concerns of a broader regional conflict.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is touring the region in an effort to de-escalate the situation, particularly as tensions rise between Israel and Iran-backed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas. The U.S. and NATO have called for restraint, with a focus on preventing the conflict from spreading further as Israel continues to retaliate against these groups. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens as Israeli airstrikes continue, killing dozens and displacing millions across the region.

END/WD/RH/