Israeli Airstrikes Target Areas Near Syrian Presidential Palace

Israeli military forces have conducted airstrikes targeting locations in close proximity to the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the airstrikes were aimed at sending a strong warning to the Syrian government against deploying troops south of Damascus or threatening the Druze community.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the importance of protecting the Druze, a religious minority residing primarily in Syria, Israel, Jordan, and Lebanon. The Druze community in Israel has a history of serving voluntarily in the Israeli military, reinforcing their role as allies of the Jewish state.

Fighting erupted on Tuesday night in a suburb of Damascus, where pro-government forces clashed with Druze fighters. This conflict was reportedly ignited by the release of an anti-Islam audio recording attributed to a Druze individual that circulated on social media. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, over a hundred casualties have been reported within just two days of the fighting.

The Druze religious leader, Sheikh Hikamt al-Hidschri, condemned the violence, characterizing it as a campaign of genocide that is unjustifiable. He called on international forces to intervene in order to restore peace and halt the ongoing atrocities.

Approximately 700,000 Druze live in Syria, making up about three percent of the country's population. The new Syrian leadership has pledged to safeguard minority groups within the nation; however, there have been troubling reports of mass killings targeting civilians, especially in regions predominantly inhabited by Alawites, following the recent downfall of long-standing President Bashar al-Assad.

In response to the escalating situation, Defense Minister Katz warned of potential substantial military action should the assaults on the Druze community continue.