Israeli Strikes Kill Soldiers, Civilians Near Damascus, Gaza

Israeli forces have intensified airstrikes and drone attacks on Syrian military positions near Damascus, particularly around the Al-Kiswah area, killing multiple Syrian soldiers from the 44th Division. These strikes occurred amid ongoing regional tensions and coincided with the Damascus International Fair, attended by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and representatives from Middle Eastern and European countries involved in Syria's reconstruction. Syrian media and monitoring groups reported that Israeli aircraft targeted military sites, including Mount Al-Mani’a and the Druze village of Deir Ali, with operations continuing over consecutive days. Israeli forces also conducted a search and recovery operation at the al-Kiswah outpost without reported direct clashes with Syrian troops. These attacks are part of a broader pattern of hundreds of Israeli strikes in Syria since late 2024, aimed at preventing advanced weaponry from reaching hostile groups. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli shelling has killed several Palestinian civilians, including women and children, amid ongoing hostilities and a severe humanitarian crisis described by Palestinian sources as genocide.