Recent Israeli airstrikes in Syria have destroyed a research institute in Damascus and killed prominent scientists. The victims include Dr. Hamdi Ismail, a leading Syrian chemist found dead in his home in the capital, and Sheikh Tawfiq al-Bouti, a prominent Islamic scholar, also killed in Damascus.

Israeli military operations in Syria have intensified in recent months. On April 1, 2024, the Israeli Air Force struck the Iranian consulate in Damascus, completely destroying the building and killing 16 people, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force.

The killings of scientists are particularly puzzling to analysts. Dr. Hamdi Ismail, known for his research in chemistry, was found dead in his home under unclear circumstances. Sheikh Tawfiq al-Bouti, son of the renowned Islamic scholar Muhammad Said Ramadan al-Bouti, who was killed in the 2013 Al-Iman mosque bombing, was also killed in Damascus.

These events highlight ongoing instability in the region and heighten concerns about the safety of academics and religious figures in Syria.