Syria accuses Israel of launching strikes near Aleppo, resulting in more than 40 casualties, amidst escalating tensions in the region.

Syria's defense ministry reported that Israeli aircraft targeted multiple sites in the Aleppo countryside at 01:45 on Friday (22:45 GMT Thursday).

A UK-based monitoring group indicated that Hezbollah militants and Syrian soldiers perished as a Hezbollah arms depot was struck.

Israel's military later announced it had conducted an airstrike in Lebanon, claiming to have eliminated a senior Hezbollah figure.

Identified as Ali Abed Akhsan Naim, he served as deputy commander of the group's missiles and rockets unit, responsible for orchestrating attacks on Israeli civilians, according to the Israel Defense Forces.

Israel released online footage depicting a moving vehicle, purportedly carrying Naim, being hit by a missile and exploding.

The strike occurred in the Bazuriyeh area, east of the port of Tyre, as stated by the IDF.

Hezbollah has yet to issue a response to the reports.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), based in the UK and monitoring events in Syria, reported that the Aleppo attack resulted in the highest number of casualties among Syrian forces (36) in a single "Israeli attack." Additionally, it noted the deaths of six Hezbollah fighters.

According to Reuters news agency, citing two security sources, five Hezbollah fighters were among the deceased, bringing the death toll to 38.

Syria's defense ministry stated that civilians and Syrian military personnel were among the casualties. It asserted that the airstrikes occurred "in conjunction with" drone attacks by "terrorist organizations" targeting Aleppo city and its vicinity, though no further details were provided.

Israel's military declined to comment on foreign media reports when approached by the BBC.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), leveraging an extensive network of contacts in Syria, stated that the purported Israeli strikes caused multiple injuries, some severe.

According to SOHR, the strikes targeted a weapons warehouse in the Jabrin area near Aleppo International Airport and Syrian air defense facilities in Al-Saferah, situated roughly 20km (12.5 miles) southeast of Aleppo city. Additionally, explosions were reported in the Kafr Joum area of western Aleppo.

Over the past years, Israel has conducted numerous strikes in Syria against Hezbollah or Iranian assets. Israel has vowed to thwart Iran, Hezbollah's primary supporter, from transferring advanced weaponry to the Lebanese group or from expanding its military presence in Syria.

Both Iran and Hezbollah, allies of Syria, reject Israel's existence. Alleged Israeli strikes on Syria have intensified since Hamas, also backed by Iran and Hezbollah, launched attacks on Israel on October 7, triggering the Gaza conflict.

Cross-border attacks between Hezbollah in Lebanon and Israel have also escalated. On Wednesday, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon resulted in the deaths of 16 individuals, including Hezbollah fighters and other militants, marking the deadliest attacks of their kind since Hezbollah commenced launching rockets at Israel in support of Hamas on October 8.

Hours following the initial Israeli strike, a Hezbollah rocket barrage in northern Israel claimed the life of a 25-year-old man.