Title: Explosions Heard in Quneitra, Southwestern Syria

Syrian state media reported that explosions were heard in Quneitra province in the southwestern part of the country, near the border with Israel, in an area that army defectors say is occupied by Iran-backed armed groups. The Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen, which is supportive of Damascus, stated that Israeli missiles struck an area near the border town of Hadr, which is particularly sensitive as it lies next to the Golan Heights occupied by Israel since 1967. An Israeli army spokesperson commented, "We do not respond to reports from abroad." The area is close to regions monitored by UN peacekeeping forces, observing a long-standing ceasefire between Israel and Syria, and it houses armed groups backed by Iran led by the Lebanese Hezbollah. Over the past two years, Israel has significantly expanded its airstrikes on suspected Iranian targets in Syria to counter what it describes as a covert Iranian military encroachment. Israel asserts that it will not allow Iran and the armed groups it supports to maintain a military presence on its borders, which would render Hezbollah a significant threat to its security.