Israel has launched air raids on Syria, targeting defense locations near the government-held city of Homs, but Syrian air defenses downed most of the missiles, according to state media. The SANA news agency, quoting an army statement early on Sunday, said the missiles flew over parts of Lebanon's capital, Beirut, before hitting locations in the vicinity of Homs. They resulted only in material damage, SANA said. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed on Sunday that Israeli warplanes had targeted a Syrian air defense battery from which they claimed an anti-aircraft rocket was launched towards Israel. The Israeli fighter jets also attacked other targets in the area, IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee said. The anti-aircraft rocket launched from Syria into Israel early Sunday exploded in the air in Israeli territory, he said. No injuries were reported and no special instructions for civilians on the Israeli home front have been issued, the IDF said. Israeli media reported Sunday that debris from the Syrian-launched rocket landed in two neighborhoods of the southern city of Rahat in Israel, damaging homes. Earlier on Saturday, Adraee said on Twitter that the anti-aircraft missile launched from Syrian territory toward Israel had exploded in mid-air. There were no casualties, he said. Israel has in recent months intensified attacks on Syrian airports and air bases allegedly to disrupt Iran's increasing use of aerial supply lines to deliver arms to allies in Syria and Lebanon. — Agencies
