Israel escalates attacks on Damascus, targeting Syrian Defense Ministry and Presidential Palace

The Israeli military has launched another brutal assault on Syria, this time bombing key government buildings in Damascus, including the Syrian Defense Ministry, military headquarters, and areas near the presidential palace. The attacks, purportedly executed to “protect” Syria’s Druze minority, come amid escalating tensions that have left civilians caught in the crossfire.

Israel’s Defense Minister, Israel Katz, boldly bragged about the strikes on social media, posting footage with the caption: “heavy blows have started.” Meanwhile, Syria’s Health Ministry reported at least one fatality and 28 injuries, with buildings reduced to rubble and thick plumes of smoke rising over the capital.

But what is really behind these strikes? Israel has long exploited regional chaos to further its military dominance, capitalizing on Syria’s instability to weaken its adversaries under the guise of “security concerns.” This is yet another calculated move to expand Israel’s influence — one that exposes its disregard for sovereignty, civilian lives and international law.

Key points:

• Israeli airstrikes hit central Damascus, damaging Syria’s Defense Ministry and military headquarters.
• Footage shows massive explosions and smoke engulfing Umayyad Square.
• At least one fatality and 28 injuries confirmed, with numbers expected to rise.
• Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz gloats on X, declaring “heavy blows have started.”
• Attacks coincide with clashes between Syrian government forces and the Druze minority in Sweida, fueling speculation about Israel’s true motives.
• Israel claims the strikes are to “protect” the Druze, yet its actions destabilize the region further.

Israel’s false narrative: “protecting” the Druze while fueling chaos

The latest wave of Israeli bombings follows deadly clashes in Syria’s Sweida province between government forces and members of the Druze community. Israel claims it seeks to defend the Druze, yet its interventions only escalate violence, leaving civilians trapped in warfare.

According to Syrian military observer Abu Amin, Israeli F-35 jets carried out multiple airstrikes on strategic Syrian military positions, including the 112th Brigade and 175th Regiment, killing soldiers and wounding civilians. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also confirmed 10 government security forces killed in the attacks.

But Israel’s hypocrisy is glaring. If it truly cared about the Druze, why does it bomb Syrian infrastructure — killing both soldiers and civilians — rather than facilitate diplomacy? The answer lies in Israel’s long-term strategy: using regional instability to justify military aggression.

Syrian Druze leaders reject Israeli propaganda

Despite Israel’s claims of acting as a protector, Druze leaders in Syria have repeatedly denounced Israeli interference.

Khaled, a resident of Sweida, told Middle East Eye: “We are an integral part of the Syrian state throughout history, and we reject Israeli occupation or interference in our regions.”

Druze spiritual leader Hikmat al-Hijri also accused the Syrian government of shelling civilian areas, but clarified that initial statements supporting government intervention were “imposed” under pressure.

Israel’s attempts to manipulate the Druze conflict — while simultaneously bombing Syrian state institutions — reveal its true agenda: destabilization. Just as it has in Gaza, Lebanon, and Yemen, Israel fans the flames of conflict to weaken adversaries while presenting itself as the “moral” actor — despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

Netanyahu’s desperate moves: Corruption scandals and coalition collapse

Back home, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is embroiled in corruption trials and a collapsing coalition. His ultra-Orthodox allies in the United Torah Judaism (UTJ) party recently abandoned the government over military conscription exemptions, leaving Netanyahu clinging to a one-seat majority.

With domestic pressure mounting and international scrutiny intensifying, Netanyahu’s Damascus bombings appear to be a desperate distraction — an attempt to rally nationalist support by flexing military muscle abroad.

But Syrians — particularly civilians caught in the blasts — aren’t fooled. This isn’t security. It’s occupation, destruction, and imperialism wrapped in a thin veneer of self-defense.

Israel’s relentless bombing of Syria isn’t about protection — it’s about control. The international community must stop accepting Tel Aviv’s justifications at face value. For decades, Israel has tested its weapons on oppressed populations, marketed them as “battle-tested,” and sold them to the highest bidder — regardless of human cost.

Sources include:

MiddleEastEye.net

X.com

X.com