Israeli Strike Hits Mediterranean Coast of Syria, says Syrian Government

The Syrian defense ministry reported that an Israeli strike caused damage near the city of Baniyas on Tuesday, but no casualties were reported. This was the third such attack in the Baniyas area this year, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. The war monitor said that two buildings were targeted by Israeli missiles, one of which belonged to an air defense battalion where Iranian military advisers were based. In May, an Israeli air strike in Baniyas resulted in the death of a girl and wounded 10 civilians. Since the start of the Syrian civil war in 2011, Israel has conducted numerous strikes targeting army positions and Iran-backed fighters in Syria, including those from Hezbollah. The Israeli strikes have increased following an attack by Hamas on October 7, leading to conflict in the Gaza Strip. Israeli authorities have stated their opposition to Iran expanding its presence in Syria.