Israel Escalates Airstrikes on Syrian Defense Ministry Damascus

Israel has significantly escalated its military actions in Syria by launching rare and powerful airstrikes on Damascus, targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry and nearby areas, including near the presidential palace. These strikes aim to protect the Druze minority in southern Syria and to push back Islamist and government forces involved in ongoing fierce clashes in Sweida province, where over 300 people have died in recent fighting between Druze groups and Bedouin tribes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized support for the Druze community and condemned the Syrian government forces as "criminal gangs," while Syria called the attacks "treacherous aggression." The conflict has caused severe distress among Druze civilians, with families trapped in conflict zones and fearing for their lives. The United States has engaged diplomatically to end the violence, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the United Nations Security Council involved in efforts to halt the fighting. Israel's ambassador to the UN affirmed the country's commitment to act against terrorist threats on its borders, underscoring the regional tension and the broader security implications.