BEIJING, May 6 (Xinhuanet) -- ’s state news agency reports that i missiles have struck a research center near the Syrian capital Damascus, setting off explosions and causing casualties.

If confirmed, it would be the second Israeli strike on targets in Syria in three days, signalling a sharp escalation of Israel’s involvement in Syria’s civil war. There was no immediate Israeli comment.

A Syrian activist group also reported large explosions in a military and scientific research facility northwest of Damascus, about 15 kilometres from the Lebanese border.

Israel has said it will not allow sophisticated weapons to flow from Syria to Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group. Israeli and US officials have said two previous Israeli airstrikes, one in January and one on Friday, targeted weapons apparently bound for Hezbollah.

(Source: CNTV.cn)