Israel claims killing Hezbollah's representative in Syria

JERUSALEM

Israel claimed on Tuesday killing a Hezbollah representative to the Syrian regime in an airstrike in the capital Damascus.

In a statement, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee identified the representative as Salman Nimer Juma’a.

"Juma’a played a pivotal role, on behalf of Hezbollah, within the Syrian military apparatus in transferring weaponry," he added.

There was no immediate comment from Hezbollah or the Syrian regime on the claim.

A cease-fire deal between Lebanon and Israel took effect last week, amid hopes of ending over 14 months of fighting between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

Nearly 4,000 people have been killed and more than 16,500 injured in Israeli attacks in Lebanon since October 2023, according to Lebanese health authorities.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala