Early Thursday, Israeli airstrikes targeted the central Syrian provinces of Homs and Hama, according to state media, as regional tensions continue to rise in the wake of the ongoing Israel-Gaza war.

Syria’s state-run SANA news agency, citing a military source, reported that the strikes occurred around 1:00 am, hitting a car assembly plant in Hasiya’s industrial zone in Homs and a military site in Hama. The attack, which originated from northern Lebanon, caused material damage but resulted in no casualties, SANA reported.

However, the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) provided a different account, stating that the strikes targeted an “Iranian car factory” in Homs. The factory was reportedly preparing trucks loaded with Iraqi aid bound for Lebanon. According to the SOHR, four people were injured in the attack.

The airstrikes are part of Israel's recent escalation of military actions in Syria, with a particular focus on warehouses belonging to the Syrian army and positions held by Iran-backed militias. Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes in Syria over the past decade, often citing the targeting of pro-Iranian groups like Lebanon’s Hezbollah, which supports the Syrian government forces.

These strikes have intensified since October 7 last year, when Hamas militants launched a large-scale attack on Israel, prompting significant retaliatory actions from the Israeli government. While Israel rarely confirms its involvement in airstrikes within Syria, it has consistently stated that it will not allow Iran to strengthen its presence in the region.

In a related incident, the SOHR reported that on Sunday, another Israeli airstrike targeted a car factory in Homs, where trucks loaded with Iraqi food and medical supplies for Lebanon were being prepared.