Large smoke clouds rose over the ancient city, after Israel attacked targets in the area on Wednesday, reported state-controlled Syrian media.
"The Israeli enemy carried out an air attack, targeting a number of buildings in the city of Palmyra", said Syria's Defense Ministry in a statement.
The number of reported deaths increased during the day, and according to the Syrian government, "36 people were killed and another 50 injured". Additionally, the material damage was extensive.
Militant Brigade
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR), based in the UK, eyewitnesses reported over 40 fatalities. Many of them were said to be members of the al-Nujaba brigade, supported by Iran, and many of whom, according to SOHR, are foreign nationals.
The reports have not been confirmed by additional independent sources.
Syria's state-controlled news agency Sana reports that residential buildings and an industrial area were targeted in the attacks.
Israel has not commented on the reports.
Historic Capital
Palmyra lies along an important road from Iraq through Syria. There are reports that Iranian militia members, on their way to or from Lebanon, were the target of the attack.
Palmyra was once the capital of the short-lived Palmyrene Empire, which stretched from present-day Turkey to Egypt. Today, it is mostly known as an archaeological site.
Parts of the historical monuments were destroyed during the Syrian civil war. The ruins were listed on UNESCO's World Heritage List.
