Israeli fighter jets struck key military positions of the Syrian regime in Damascus, including the General Staff Compound, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in a statement released Wednesday.
A video shared by the IDF shows precision strikes targeting the compound, from where Syrian commanders reportedly manage operations and troop deployments to As-Suwayda, a region at the heart of the ongoing conflict involving the Druze minority.
In addition to the General Staff Compound, another strike hit a military target near the Syrian Presidential Palace in Damascus. According to Syrian state media Al-Ekhbariya, two civilians were injured in what it called an “Israeli aggression.”
The IDF said that the airstrikes were carried out “in accordance with the directives of the political leadership” as concerns mount over attacks against Druze civilians in southern Syria. “The IDF continues to monitor developments and is prepared for various scenarios,” the spokesperson said.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz directly warned Damascus, saying, “The Syrian regime must pull back and leave the Druze community in Sweida alone.” He added, “Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria.”
Also read: Israel strikes Syria’s military, defence ministry HQs; blast near presidential palace — top developments
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar echoed similar concerns, calling the Syrian government “an unelected regime that seized power by force of arms.” He added, “Israel's interests in this country are well known: to keep the situation as it is and to ensure that southern Syria does not pose a threat.”
Separately, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed reinforcement of troops along the border with Syria, stating that Israel “will not allow a military threat to exist in the south of the country.”
A video shared by the IDF shows precision strikes targeting the compound, from where Syrian commanders reportedly manage operations and troop deployments to As-Suwayda, a region at the heart of the ongoing conflict involving the Druze minority.
In addition to the General Staff Compound, another strike hit a military target near the Syrian Presidential Palace in Damascus. According to Syrian state media Al-Ekhbariya, two civilians were injured in what it called an “Israeli aggression.”
צה"ל ממשיך לתקוף מטרות צבאיות של המשטר הסורי בדמשק
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) July 16, 2025
צה״ל תקף לפני זמן קצר את קריית המטה הכללי של המשטר הסורי במרחב דמשק שבסוריה.
מקריית המטה הכללי בדמשק מפקדי המשטר הסורי מנהלים את הלחימה ושולחים את כוחות המשטר למרחב א-סווידא׳.
בנוסף, הותקפה מטרה צבאית במרחב ארמון הנשיאות של… pic.twitter.com/58iEQDzJRV
The IDF said that the airstrikes were carried out “in accordance with the directives of the political leadership” as concerns mount over attacks against Druze civilians in southern Syria. “The IDF continues to monitor developments and is prepared for various scenarios,” the spokesperson said.
Israeli defence minister Israel Katz directly warned Damascus, saying, “The Syrian regime must pull back and leave the Druze community in Sweida alone.” He added, “Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria.”
Also read: Israel strikes Syria’s military, defence ministry HQs; blast near presidential palace — top developments
Israeli foreign minister Gideon Sa'ar echoed similar concerns, calling the Syrian government “an unelected regime that seized power by force of arms.” He added, “Israel's interests in this country are well known: to keep the situation as it is and to ensure that southern Syria does not pose a threat.”
Separately, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee confirmed reinforcement of troops along the border with Syria, stating that Israel “will not allow a military threat to exist in the south of the country.”
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