Israeli attack on Syria kills five: media

An Israeli missile attack on the Masyaf area in Syria's Hama countryside has killed five and injured seven including a child, state media report, citing a military statement.

The attack began at 8.23pm on Friday and originated from the West Banyas direction, the military statement added.

It said one of those killed was a civilian.

An Israeli military spokesperson declined to comment.

The missiles sparked fires in forest areas in Masyaf and left some material damage, Syrian state media reported.

For several years, Israel has been mounting attacks on what it has described as Iranian-linked targets in Syria, where groups including Lebanon's Hezbollah have deployed to help President Bashar al-Assad fight back anti-government forces.

Two anti-government sources and the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strikes targeted weapons depots belonging to pro-Assad forces.

Syrian state TV did not specify whether the area hit was a military zone.