A rabbi was the reported target of a Hezbollah plot in Syria, according to Israeli and Syrian media reports published after the Syrian Interior Ministry announced on Saturday that security forces thwarted a plot in Damascus.
The alleged target was named as Rabbi Michael Khoury by KAN and Radio Free Syria.
A woman in the cell allegedly attempted to plant explosives at the home of “one of the religious figures in the vicinity of the Maronite Church in the Bab Tuma area,” the interior ministry published, confirming that initial investigations pointed to those involved being members of Hezbollah.
The ministry alleged that the cell received specialized military training abroad, though it did not specify where.
In response to the accusation, the terror group published in a statement on Sunday that it denied the accusation it was connected to the cell attempting to assassinate a religious figure.
“Hezbollah reiterates its previously stated position that it has no activity, affiliation, or relationship with any party in Syria, and no presence on Syrian soil,” the group published. “Hezbollah also affirms its commitment to the security, stability, and safety of Syria and its people in all their diversity. Hezbollah calls upon the relevant authorities in the Syrian state to conduct a thorough investigation before making baseless accusations, especially given the presence of intelligence agencies seeking to incite tension between Lebanon and Syria.”