An Israeli strike hit a vehicle in Syrian territory on the Damascus-Beirut highway, killing one of Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah’s former bodyguards, who security sources said was lately involved in transporting weapons for the group.

Hezbollah issued a statement mourning Yasser Nimr Qarnabsh without elaborating on his role in the organisation. Two security sources said the former bodyguard had become a mid-ranking Hezbollah official involved in the transport of weapons.

Israel typically does not discuss attacks by its forces in Syria. When asked about the strike, an Israeli military spokesperson said: “We do not comment on reports in the foreign media”.

Hezbollah began firing at Israeli targets on the border in support of Palestinians after its ally Hamas launched the Oct. 7 attack on Israel that precipitated the war in Gaza. Tens of thousands of Israelis and Lebanese have been forced to evacuate from the area around the border between the two countries.

(Reuters)