The Facts

• An Israeli strike on the Syrian city of Palmyra on Wednesday killed at least 36 people and wounded 50, with the UN saying it was the deadliest attack in the country to date. Syrian state media outlet SANA said that the strike hit residential buildings and an industrial zone. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that 79 Iran-backed fighters were killed in the strike.

• The Israeli military did not confirm the attack, though Israel has launched regular strikes in Syria since the beginning of the country's civil war in 2011. Israeli attacks in Syria usually target sites and areas associated with Iranian-backed militias, but it rarely comments on said strikes.

• The strikes come as negotiations for a cease-fire in Lebanon made some progress this week, with US envoy Amo Hochstein meeting with Israeli officials on Thursday to hash out the final details of a potential deal. Hochstein was in Beirut earlier this week meeting with Lebanese officials.