ALBAWABA - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Friday morning that Israel has struck Syria with its second assault in two days, an airstrike close to Damascus' Presidential Palace.
In light of the continued instability in the area, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reaffirmed Israel's commitment to safeguarding Syria's Druze minority in a joint statement.
"Last night (Thursday), Israel conducted an airstrike near the Presidential Palace in Damascus," Netanyahu said. "The Syrian government is receiving a clear message from this. We won't let Syrian soldiers to go south of Damascus or endanger the Druze people in any way."
In a statement, the Israeli military acknowledged the action, stating that airplanes had hit a location near Ahmed Hussein Al-Sharaa's palace in Damascus. However, no more information on the precise target was made public.
Syrian officials have not yet responded to the attack.
As tensions in southern Syria continue to grow, this newest escalation has occurred. Israel has seized territory in southern Syria after the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December and promised to protect the Druze people. Furthermore, it has been stated that after Assad was overthrown, Israeli troops have destroyed a large portion of Syria's heavy equipment.
Additionally, the assault comes after earlier Israeli threats against the new Syrian administration. The new president of Syria, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, was warned earlier this week by Israel with a "serious response" if assaults on Druze villages persisted.
As violence has escalated in Druze regions, such as Jaramana and Sahnaya, raising concerns of a larger war, the situation is still tense.
