Israel kills Hezbollah liaison officer, Russia

The Israeli military claims to have killed a Hezbollah liaison officer within the Syrian army in an airstrike on the Syrian capital Damascus on December 3.

Syrian news agency SANA reported an Israeli airstrike on a car en route to Damascus International Airport, noting that one person was killed.

The scene of devastation after an airstrike in Idlib (Syria) on December 2, 2024.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the vehicle was targeted by an Israeli drone. "One man inside was killed and another was injured," the observatory said, but did not provide details about their identities.

Later, the Israeli military confirmed that its air force had conducted an intelligence-based attack in Damascus targeting Salman Nemer Jumaa, Hezbollah's representative in Syria.

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According to The Times of Israel, citing a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Jumaa, acting as Hezbollah's liaison with the Syrian army, "assisted in transferring weapons from Syria to Hezbollah." The IDF stated that Jumaa was also in "close contact" with high-ranking Syrian government officials. The IDF emphasized that killing Jumaa was a blow to Hezbollah's presence in Syria and its ability to rearm.

In another development, Russia and the United States engaged in a heated exchange on December 3rd at a United Nations Security Council meeting regarding the sudden escalation of fighting in Syria.

The United Nations Security Council meeting on Syria in New York (USA) on December 3, 2024.

US Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations Robert Wood called for de-escalation of hostilities in Syria and protection of civilians. Wood also expressed concern about the offensive by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forces.

Wood accused Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's forces and Russia of causing civilian casualties in attacks on schools and hospitals.

In a speech directed at the United States, Russian Ambassador to the United Nations Vassily Nebenzia stated: "The United States has failed to muster the courage to condemn a clear terrorist attack targeting peaceful civilians in the peaceful cities of Syria. There has been no indication that Washington will be willing to fight resolutely against international terrorism." "Frankly, we are pleased that we are currently on opposite sides of the battlefield with you," Nebenzia added.

US Deputy Ambassador Wood also responded sharply.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/israel-ha-lien-lac-vien-hezbollah-nga-my-dau-khau-nay-lua-tai-lien-hiep-quoc-185241204105630235.htm