US sources: Israeli F-16s fired Delilah cruise missiles over Syria from Lebanese air space. F-35s joined second wave

US military sources disclose that the Israeli air offensive on Tuesday night, Dec. 25, was conducted by IAF F-16I fighter jets firing Delilah cruise missiles from Lebanese air space into Syria. Damascus is said to have countered the attack with Russian Pantsir-S2 and S-200 SAM air defense weapons. These highly credible sources also disclose that the Israeli attack was aimed at Syrian military sites – not Iranian and Hizballah targets as earlier reported in Israel and Damascus. The Israeli government and military chiefs had apparently decided, say the US sources, to take advantage of the chaos generated by President Donald Trump’s decision to pull US troops out of Syria and Ankara’s threat of a Turkish army thrust across the Euphrates. Their purpose was to disable Syrian military sites where Iranian and Hizballah combat assets were quartered.
After the F-16 jets failed to connect to their targets, the IDF sent the F-35 stealth planes over in a second wave.
According to the earlier accounts coming from inside the region, a wide-ranging IDF attack southwest of Damascus Tuesday night, Dec. 25, hit Iranian and Hizballah targets. They confirmed that some of them were embedded in Syrian army bases. Both versions confirm the attack was launched from Lebanese air space. Early Wednesday, the Syrian army released a video claiming to depict the interception of one of many Israeli missiles hit by its air defense systems. Syrian and Lebanese sources describe the Israeli air offensive as lasting 30 minutes. If correct, then this latest Israeli attack over Syria was the same length as the massive Israel Air Force strike of Nov. 29 which struck at least 15 Iranian and Hizballah targets. After that multiple raid, Damascus warned that henceforth there would be payback against corresponding targets inside Israel.
A blackout covers the circumstances of the massive explosion that rocked Israeli towns, including Hadera, Caesarea and Zichron Yaacov while the attack over Syria was in progress. It appears, however, that Syria did indeed fire an air defense missile into Israel in retaliation. The IDF spokesman would only say “The air defense system was activated against an anti-air missile launched from Syria, No damage or casualties.”
This laconic statement indicates that interception did not take place and the Syrian missile may have landed somewhere in Israel. Social media carry photos of its fragments. Witnesses attest to the activation of an Israeli air defense battery located at Ain Shemer.

This was the second time in six months that an IDF air defense battery failed to down a Syrian missile. On July 23, a David’s Sling anti-air battery missed two Syrian SS-21 surface missiles that were heading for the Sea of Galilee.

According to Arab sources, the targets of the Israeli attack were located at the military section of Damascus airport, where an Iranian transport plane – some say three – had landed, and two other locations: Dimat, headquarters of the Syrian army’s 4th Division, Qatana, site of its 10th Division, and the command center of Syrian artillery forces further south at Khan al-Sheikh.
Newsweek magazine quotes anonymous Pentagon sources as saying that one of the Israeli missiles was aimed at a high-profile Hizballah delegation which had landed in Damascus from Beirut at 16:00 local time ready to board an Iranian flight bound for Tehran. They are said to have been on their way to the funeral of Ayatollah Hashemi Alshaharoudi. Other American sources report that only one member of the delegation was hurt.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

32 thoughts on “US sources: Israeli F-16s fired Delilah cruise missiles over Syria from Lebanese air space. F-35s joined second wave

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 9:16 at 9:16
    Permalink

    “US military sources disclose… Syrian and Lebanese sources describe… Social media carry photos… Witnesses attest… According to Arab sources… Newsweek magazine quotes… Other American sources report…”

    So much for Debka’s very own “intelligence sources”!

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 16:16 at 16:16
      Permalink

      That’s why I don’t subscribe for it. I suspect that Debka is simply one of avenues for people in ZAHAL to leak ther dissent opinion about Israel military policy.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 9:40 at 9:40
    Permalink

    Debka’s “Leave a Reply”, right on this page, says: “Comments containing incitement, libel or offensive language are barred under DEBKAfile’s regulations. So, how does “fuck off” right on this page manage to get through to Debka’s audience ??? Hmmmmm!!!

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 9:43 at 9:43
    Permalink

    Looks to me like Israel is in trouble. Her military invincibility is fast wearing out. It is unfortunate, sad.

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 10:22 at 10:22
      Permalink

      Yes sad and concerning. If Israel is cornered nukes will probably be used.

      • Dec 26, 2018 @ 10:53 at 10:53
        Permalink

        Tehran is toast – an ugly footnote in history.

        So too Mecca if the US or Israel suffer a WMD attack.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 9:52 at 9:52
    Permalink

    Israel attacks from Lebanon air space is legal? I mean if israel wants to attack syria and iranians, its fine. But why they do things like this every time to make new enemy’s for themself and israel?
    By the way Syrian air defenses missiles always shot like crazy to land in israel, like this time, so why the hell idf uses lebonan air space?

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 10:23 at 10:23
    Permalink

    Yes sad and concerning. If Israel is cornered nukes will probably be used.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 10:39 at 10:39
    Permalink

    I feel sorry for Israel. But. We all know that God has prepared enemies for Israel. There are many reasons for this. But this is all Gods design. Before one. Becomes too optimistic about Israel. First one must consider the judgements of God upon Israel and question why has God brought such an adversary for the land… Consider carefully what I say… Its better to be humble about this.

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 10:56 at 10:56
      Permalink

      France and the UK are already past the tipping point of Muslim influx and domination.

      Watch both as Warnings for the rest of Humanity.

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 17:42 at 17:42
      Permalink

      Glass half full or half empty? You are showing wisdom in your comment Super.
      Also knowledge of what is about to happen throughout the ME. Israel will indeed take a major hit. But nations attacking them will be simply wiped out. The Russian Bear [supplier] will be “pulled back”. Your wisdom? knowing it is of Gods design. Israel does need a “spanking” and God will use their enemies to do so, and then those enemies will be severely punished. Damascus will cease to exist in the future by Gods design as well. One need not believe the Word of God to see it. When it happens it will become obvious. So I am not optimistic about Israel, and even less so about her enemies. Humility is always born of wisdom.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 10:45 at 10:45
    Permalink

    Russian hi tech pantsir gun missile system shoots down advanced israeli missiles. israel wasting its time. it hasn’t updated arms or tactics in the last decade or two.

    russia knows this and lets israel play around in Southern Lebanon and southern Syria near its borders.

    wait till Syria uses s300s.. every Israeli plane will be blown up along with its pilots.

    why doesnt Israel destroy the s200 or pantsir or s300 in future? because they cant get close with iron bombs without getting shot down and the russian tech downs their expensive missiles.

    where is advanced Israeli laser tech?

    israel cant even shoot down old russian missiles.

    how will israel cope in a war with Hezbollah? Israel doesnt have enough missiles to shoot down hez rockets and the israeli missiles often miss. israel doesnt have the guts for a ground war to stop rockets in a future war. so the Israeli army and air force are practically of no use.

    the israeli navy is tiny and no match for russias navy in the eastern med.

    no wonder Russia lets israel play around a bit and hezbollah laughs at Israel.

    never mind the newer s400 Russia has in Syria. russia is squeezing Israel and israel is weak with a corrupt weak leader who calls elections soon at a time when Israel needs powerful leadership and has none….

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:00 at 11:00
      Permalink

      The most effective pressure point, target is…

      Mecca.

      The Mad Ayatoolahs are playing with fire and are facing internal and external opposition.

      The Persian people want no part of the Ayatoolahs Death Wish to awaken their satanic “Mahdi”.

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:12 at 11:12
      Permalink

      The sanctions on Fascist Iran are working.

      The ayatoolhs are sweating. They know they will end up with a noose around their scrawny necks.

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 16:40 at 16:40
      Permalink

      the strike shows the russian failure to protect syria space. nobody will trust russian technology. that strike the failure os shit 300 ,shit 400 , pansir shit. Assad will be wise not trust russian military, or it will lose its power.RUSSIA MILITARY IS NOTHING THAN ARMY OF COWARDS

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:02 at 11:02
    Permalink

    You might want to read Deuteronomy 30. Yah has something prepared for Israel’s enemies.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:20 at 11:20
    Permalink

    Why Isreal doen not engage peace plan with Syria if it will to get rid off Hesbollah?, make peace of one enemy and kill the second,
    Where are Lebonanese airforce, or they don,t have one and Isreal plays with its sky??

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:38 at 11:38
      Permalink

      May GOD bless and protect Israel!!

      • Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:54 at 11:54
        Permalink

        AND the United States of America, Canada, Australia.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 11:56 at 11:56
    Permalink

    Netanyahu is looking for a distraction and as usual trying to start another war by Violating Lebanese airspace and attacking Syria. The only way Syria can stop is aggression is to attack Tel _Aviv airport and only then Israel will stop its aggression and it looks like Israeli Iron Dome has been useless as usual. Israeli existence is based on aggression, occupation and bullying its neighbours but it will come to an end one day just as it happened to Hitler.

    • Dec 30, 2018 @ 2:05 at 2:05
      Permalink

      Israel has always used Lebanese air space. it is not Bibi but it is the choice of IAF. think and visualize what is happening before you write garbage.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 15:48 at 15:48
    Permalink

    55 missiles were fired, in 4 (sic) waves, with 7 hits on 2 locations over about half an hour. Attack failure, UNLESS you got Soleimani. Did you get him or not? Cause if you didn’t, you are showing your enemies that your tech isn’t much better than old Soviet stuff.

    Come on, just between us, did you get Soleimani or not?

    • Dec 26, 2018 @ 20:35 at 20:35
      Permalink

      As much as I want to disagree with you I have to agree. As long as Iran has Soleimani they are a threat.

    • Dec 27, 2018 @ 4:57 at 4:57
      Permalink

      It’s hard to know exactly who to believe. Some of the commentaries on this Debka report here present detailed facts, figures, and weapons systems used. Genuine information? Hard to tell. But, if there is any truth to the details provided in a few of these opinions, they are more informative than Debka, itself. In any event, it seems that the raids failed in many of their objectives, for whatever the reason. If Israel cannot do better, then the Jewish State is in trouble. Especially, after all the boasting about their capabilities and deterrence. Not a good sign, if these critiques are to be believed.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 16:05 at 16:05
    Permalink

    Nutsrallah is a war criminal and lives in a hole for the last ten years.
    Aoun is a war criminal that is in the pocket of other war criminals and Lebanon is not a country.its a warlord,mafia clan,multi-war criminal house of cards.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 16:31 at 16:31
    Permalink

    Russian MoD: Syria Israeli Air Force Used Landing Of Two Civilian Flights As Cover For Airstrikes…

    So much for Israel as been a beacon of light for the World.

    Another cowardly and despicable act from “gods chosen people” who need to hide behind the cover of civilians, attack on holy days, etc

    As is written “Its by their fruits that you will know them” and these are the fruits of a godless, murderess people. So i have to ask what god do they serve?

    The god of this world, of the almighty shekel maybe? No doubt called the shekel as its intent is to shackle you within their Talmudic Babylonian Banking System.

    From Soutfront: https://southfront.org/russian-mod-syria-israeli-air-force-used-landing-of-two-civilian-flights-as-cover-for-airstrikes/

    The Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out its recent airstrikes in Syria when two civilians flights were landing in Beirut and Damascus, putting passengers at risk, Igor Konashenkov, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense of Russia told reporters on December 26.

    “Provocative acts by the Israeli Air Force endangered two passenger jets when six of their F-16s carried out airstrikes on Syria from Lebanese airspace,” RT quoted the spokesman as saying.

    According to Konashenkov, the Syrian Arab Air Defense Forces (SyAADF) delayed the deployment of surface-to-air missiles and electronic jamming “to prevent a tragedy.” Meanwhile, the Damascus air traffic control divert one of the passenger jets to a reserve airport in Khmeimim in southern Lattakia.

    The six Israeli F-16 warplanes used 16 US-made GPS-guided GBU-39 Small Diameter Bombs (SDBs) in the attack, which occurred at the late hours of December 25. Only two SDBs managed to hit their targets, while the rest were intercepted by the SyAADF.

    Israeli media claimed that Israeli warplanes struck a shipment of Iranian-made Fajir-5 rockets, which was on its way to Hezbollah. However, the Ministry of Defense of Syria said that the “aggression” targeted an ammo depot of the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) injuring three service members.

    Last September, a Russian Il-20 plane was downed by Syrian air defense fire, when Israeli warplanes used it as a cover to strike positions on the Syrian coast. The recent airstrikes show that Israel is now using the same tactic with civilian planes, which endanger the flights not only over Syria, but also over Lebanon and Jordan.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 16:44 at 16:44
    Permalink

    RUSSIAN SU 30, su 33 su 35 su 57 are absents of syria space. including the s300 and s400 after that they will find some little excuses to justify their failiure

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 16:55 at 16:55
    Permalink

    AS ASSAD HAS UNDERSTOOD THAT BY COOPERATING WITH IRAN HEZBOLLAH AGAINST ISRAEL HE PUT IN DANGER HIS POWER SO I ADVICE TO ISRAEL MILITARY TO CREATE A BIG DISORDER IN SYRIA BY ATTACKING DIRECTLY ASSAD REGIME . FIRSTABLE DESTROY HIS PALACES , HIS ARMORED DIVISONS HIS AMMUNITION DEPOTS , FORCES WHICH ARE OPPOSE TO REBEL FORCES. STRIKE IN THE WAY HIS LOST THE GRIP ON HIS COUNTRY. IF IDF DESTROY ASSAD FORCES THE EQUATION IN THE FIELD WILL CHANGE IN FAVOR OF REBEL FORCES. THE RUSSIAN MILITARY WILL BE OBLIGED TO LEFT THE COUNTRY

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 19:44 at 19:44
    Permalink

    So far I have heard nothing about a Syrian missile making it through Israeli air defenses.

    • Dec 29, 2018 @ 12:24 at 12:24
      Permalink

      One just did right now. Also Syria doesn’t fire missiles inside Israel.

  • Dec 26, 2018 @ 21:15 at 21:15
    Permalink

    Until Russia/Syria give the names & references of the so-called civilian airliners, it will remain another lie from mother Russia.

    • Dec 27, 2018 @ 7:19 at 7:19
      Permalink

      Its not completely a lie. They just “forgot” to mention that the “civilian” planes were loaded with Iranian missiles.

Comments are closed.