Damascus, 12 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Israeli warplanes struck Damascus and Aleppo airports in war-torn Syria on Thursday, putting them out of action, Syrian state media reported.

"The Israeli enemy simultaneously carried out an air aggression with bursts of missiles, targeting the international airports of Aleppo and Damascus, which led to damage in their landing strips and thus put them out of service," Syria's state news agency (SANA) said, citing a military source.

It added that the attack was a "desperate attempt" by Israel to divert attention "from the crimes it is committing in Gaza and the great losses it is suffering at the hands of the Palestinian resistance." 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which reports violence in the country, said Israel had carried out 34 attacks in Syria so far this year.

The Israeli military did not immediately comment.

The reported strikes come amid a massive escalation in violence between Palestinians and Israel, which is pursuing an onslaught on the Gaza Strip in retaliation for a massive surprise attack by Hamas at the weekend. More than 1,200 people have died on both sides.

Earlier this week, rockets were fired from Syria at Israeli positions. According to the Israeli army, several rockets fell in open areas on Tuesday.

The military said it responded with artillery and mortar shells.

Israel regularly bombs targets in neighbouring Syria in an effort to prevent arch-rival Iran from expanding its influence there.

Tehran and Hezbollah have been the main backers of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad since the 2011 uprising against his rule.

Photo: MIA Archive