At least seven civilians, including children, lost their lives, and 11 others were injured after an Israeli airstrike hit a residential building in the al-Mazzeh area, west of Syria's capital Damascus. The area is known for housing embassies and security headquarters.

Syria's defense ministry reported that the death toll could rise as rescuers continued searching through the rubble.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the building targeted was frequented by senior members of the Revolutionary Guards and Hezbollah operatives, as well as a car parked nearby. Rami Abdel Rahman, head of the Observatory, noted that nine people were killed, five of whom were civilians, including a child. At least two of the victims were foreigners, although their nationalities were not specified.

The Iranian embassy in Damascus confirmed that none of the deceased were Iranian nationals.

Later, Syria's foreign ministry condemned the attack, calling it a "brutal crime against defenseless civilians." It urged immediate action to prevent further escalation in the region, warning of catastrophic consequences if the situation deteriorates further.

Footage from the scene showed the building engulfed in smoke, with debris scattered across the ground. Adel Habib, a 61-year-old electrician who lived in the building, described the attack as feeling like "Judgment Day." He recalled being unable to contact his family due to the disruption of communications and electricity. “These were the longest five minutes of my life until I heard the voices of my wife, children, and grandchildren,” Habib said.

The strike caused extensive damage, with the first three floors of the building destroyed and around 20 cars damaged by falling debris.

Syrian state television also reported that air defenses had intercepted hostile targets near Damascus.

Israel has conducted airstrikes in Syria for several years, and these attacks have increased since October last year. The heightened military activity comes amid fears of a broader regional conflict, with Israel also launching strikes in Lebanon and continuing its campaign in Gaza, which has killed over 42,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children.

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