Syrian rebels claimed Thursday that they killed 250 Hezbollah fighters and captured dozens in fierce battles in the suburbs of Damascus, while a missile attack reportedly killed 40 people in the city of Raqqa.

Hebrew media sources, citing the Lebanese al-Mustaqbal newspaper, reported the claim by the Free Syrian Army on Thursday, although the information could not be confirmed by other sources.

According to Israel Radio, Hezbollah acknowledged the deaths of three of its fighters, including the nephew of a Lebanese minister, in battles near Damascus, but not the 250 claimed by the rebels.

The Local Coordination Committees in Syria reported only 17 deaths in Syria on Thursday.