Israel Strikes ‘Dozens’ of Iranian Targets in Syria, 23 Dead

The Israeli military on Thursday said it hit “dozens” of Iranian targets in Syria in overnight strikes following a rocket attack on the occupied territory of the Golan Heights. Twenty-three fighters, including 18 foreigners, were killed in Israeli strikes, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Israel accused a top Iranian general of orchestrating the initial alleged attack on Israeli bases from inside Syria. “It was ordered and commanded by Qassem Soleimani and it has not achieved its purpose,” Israeli military spokesman Lt. Gen. Jonathan Conricus said early Thursday. Israeli military officials said “some” of the 20 missiles were intercepted and that no Israelis were hurt. Tensions are worsening in the region after Iran said Israel was responsible for fatal airstrikes against Iranian forces in Syria. The conflict also comes a day after President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of the Iran nuclear deal, a decision that was cheered by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.