Translated with AI
The Israeli Air Force carried out a series of airstrikes on Syrian territory, including the Syrian Army General Staff building in central Damascus, Syrian and Israeli media reported.
The moment of one of the strikes was recorded live on a Syrian TV channel – the footage shows a powerful explosion in the central part of the Syrian capital.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the strikes were in response to attacks by Syrian government forces against the Druze population in the region, which is said to support Israel. In an official statement, the IDF said it was preparing for "several days of fighting" against the Syrian army.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced in a televised address to citizens the start of an operation to protect the Druze minority in southern Syria. "We will save our brothers, the Druze, and destroy the gangs of the bloody Syrian regime," he said.
Israeli units are being transferred to the territory of Syria bordering Israel, in the area of the city of Suwayda, where, according to media reports, local residents have already raised the Israeli flag. The territory in question makes up to 10% of southern Syria.
The Syrian authorities have not yet commented on the incident.
