Syria Reports Renewed Israeli Airstrikes
By Isabel Kershner
NEW YORK TIMES
December 7, 2014 7:22pm
JERUSALEM - Israeli warplanes struck at least two areas near Damascus on Sunday, the Syrian Armed Forces General Command said in a statement, apparently ending a months-long hiatus in strikes attributed to Israel against sophisticated weaponry destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israeli officials refused to confirm or deny the latest reports from Syria, maintaining a policy of ambiguity that is meant to allow the other side to save face and to stave off retaliation.
But in broadcast remarks Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel pledged to continue to deal with regional threats, which some Israeli analysts read with hindsight as a hint of what was to come hours later.
"We are closely monitoring the Middle East and what is happening with open eyes and ears, and a lot is happening," Netanyahu said. "We will stay informed and we will deal with these threats and challenges, which are not taking a timeout. We will deal with them with the same responsibility that we have up until now."
The Syrian army's statement said Israel had struck the area of Dimas, known to contain military bases and research centers, and the area of Damascus International Airport, causing damage to some facilities. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The army said the attack "proves Israel's direct involvement in supporting terrorists in Syria," including the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front and the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. The army said Israel was aiming to raise the morale of these groups after the Syrian army's strikes against them."
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| Bashar al-Jafaari is the United Nations ambassador for Syria. |
NEW YORK TIMES
December 7, 2014 7:22pm
JERUSALEM - Israeli warplanes struck at least two areas near Damascus on Sunday, the Syrian Armed Forces General Command said in a statement, apparently ending a months-long hiatus in strikes attributed to Israel against sophisticated weaponry destined for Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Israeli officials refused to confirm or deny the latest reports from Syria, maintaining a policy of ambiguity that is meant to allow the other side to save face and to stave off retaliation.
But in broadcast remarks Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel pledged to continue to deal with regional threats, which some Israeli analysts read with hindsight as a hint of what was to come hours later.
"We are closely monitoring the Middle East and what is happening with open eyes and ears, and a lot is happening," Netanyahu said. "We will stay informed and we will deal with these threats and challenges, which are not taking a timeout. We will deal with them with the same responsibility that we have up until now."
The Syrian army's statement said Israel had struck the area of Dimas, known to contain military bases and research centers, and the area of Damascus International Airport, causing damage to some facilities. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The army said the attack "proves Israel's direct involvement in supporting terrorists in Syria," including the al-Qaida-affiliated Nusra Front and the Islamic State, also known as ISIS. The army said Israel was aiming to raise the morale of these groups after the Syrian army's strikes against them."
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