Israeli strikes in Syria have killed 18 and wounded dozens, marking the highest death toll since the Gaza war began. Targets included a weapons research center, with Syrian officials claiming civilian sites were hit. Israel frequently targets military sites linked to Iran and Hezbollah, especially amid ongoing conflicts with Hamas. The intensity of these strikes was unusual, with no immediate Israeli military comment. Israel aims to prevent Iranian entrenchment in Syria, a key route for weapons to Hezbollah. Syrian Health Minister Hassan al-Ghabbash condemned the strikes as “brutal and barbaric.”