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The Israeli military confirmed Wednesday that it launched an airstrike targeting the entrance of Syria's General Staff Headquarters in Damascus, citing recent unrest involving Druze groups in southern Syria as part of its "justification."
An Anadolu Agency correspondent in Damascus reported three explosions in the Syrian capital, with impacts recorded near the Presidential Palace, behind the Defense Ministry, and at the General Staff headquarters complex.
The Israeli army spokesperson justified the strikes by claiming to monitor developments affecting Druze citizens in southern Syria.
"The Defense Army continues to monitor developments and activities against Druze citizens in southern Syria and, based on directives from the political level, is attacking in the region while remaining on high alert for various scenarios," Adraee stated.
Israeli forces also targeted transportation routes to prevent Syrian military advances in the affected areas, according to the military spokesperson.
The current escalation stems from armed clashes that began July 13 in Sweida province, located on Syria's border with Jordan, after Druze groups seized vehicles belonging to Bedouin Arab tribes. The confrontations resulted in at least 30 casualties, according to reports.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued an ultimatum to Syrian forces, demanding complete withdrawal from the Druze-majority province.
"The Syrian regime must leave the Druze in Sweida alone and withdraw its forces," Katz stated. "The army will continue to strike regime forces until they withdraw from the area, and will soon escalate its response against the regime if the message is not understood."
The Israeli government has pledged military and political support to the Druze minority against the Damascus authorities, disrupting post-Assad integration efforts in the region.
Israeli military officials announced plans to deploy additional forces along the Syrian border following the airstrikes, with army leadership conducting "situation assessments to determine necessary fortifications at the border within the framework of operational objectives."
The Israeli military stated it would "continue both defensive and offensive actions" as tensions mount along the frontier.
Israeli forces also reported efforts to prevent hundreds of Israeli Druze from crossing into Syrian territory through the Majdal Shams area, while simultaneously attempting to stop suspected infiltration attempts from the Syrian side.
"Israeli Druze citizens crossed the border into Syria in the Majdal Shams area, and that forces are working to return them safely," an army spokesperson said, adding that troops identified "dozens of suspects attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory from the area of Hader in Syria."
The Syrian presidency issued a statement condemning the violence in Sweida province while committing to accountability for all parties involved in the unrest.
"The Syrian state has been closely following with great concern the grievous and regrettable violations that have occurred in certain areas of Sweida Governorate," the statement read. "These actions clearly fall under criminal and unlawful behavior, which cannot be justified under any circumstances and are completely incompatible with the principles upon which the Syrian state is founded."
Syrian authorities pledged to investigate all incidents and hold accountable "everyone found to be involved, regardless of whether the perpetrators are individuals or external organizations."
The government emphasized its commitment to protecting security and stability throughout Syria, assuring Sweida residents that "their rights are a solid and constant commitment, and we will not allow any party to tamper with them—neither through threat nor continuation."
Senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, have previously threatened escalating attacks against Syrian government forces if they maintain their presence in Druze-populated areas.
The Israeli military spokesman emphasized that air force operations would continue targeting Syrian regime assets moving toward Suwayda, with planes "continuing their raids at this time."
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