Israeli forces launched heavy attacks on Syrian military positions, including the Ministry of Defense building and the General Staff headquarters in Damascus.
Live footage broadcast by Al Jazeera showed intense bombardment hitting multiple sites across the Syrian capital.
Israeli war minister Yoav Gallant declared that “painful operations” against Syria had commenced.
Syrian media reported sections of the Defense Ministry sustained severe damage, while the entrance to the General Staff building was also struck.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu left a court session citing security reasons, later reiterating support for Syria’s Druze community to justify the strikes.
Netanyahu claimed the situation in Suwayda and southwest Syria was “extremely dangerous,” insisting Israeli forces were acting to “save Druze brothers” and suppress armed groups.
Analysts contend Israel’s declared support for Druze communities is a pretext to dismantle Syrian defense structures and extend control deeper into Syrian territory.
According to reports, Israel views influence over Syrian Druze as a gateway to subduing Druze populations in Lebanon and fragmenting regional cohesion.
Lebanese Druze leader Walid Jumblatt has repeatedly warned about Israel’s attempts to manipulate sectarian divisions for strategic gains.
Since yesterday evening, Israeli aircraft have carried out repeated strikes around Suwayda, while the so-called Jolani Administration ordered residents to remain indoors.
The Jolani Administration also threatened to confront any groups it deemed unlawful.
Despite the announcement of a ceasefire in Suwayda, clashes continued across the city.
In recent days, Israel had targeted military equipment belonging to Jolani-backed factions, but Syrian sources reported a decline in air raids as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham fighters moved reinforcements into the area.
Syria remains mired in instability, with fighting erupting not only between Druze militias and Jolani-aligned groups but also among civilian supporters of each side, including in neighborhoods like Jaramana near Damascus.