DAMASCUS,(Palestine Foundation Information Center) The Israeli army bombed the headquarters of the Syrian General Staff in the capital Damascus on Wednesday, as it resumed airstrikes targeting military sites and security force gatherings in southern Syria under the pretext of “protecting the Druze,” amid ongoing armed clashes in Suwayda Province.
The Israeli military announced that it had attacked the entrance gate to the Syrian General Staff complex in Damascus. In a statement, it said, “The army continues to monitor developments and actions against Druze civilians in Syria. Based on directives from the political leadership, it is conducting strikes in the area and remains on high alert for various scenarios.”
Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported hearing an explosion in Damascus on Wednesday, noting that efforts were underway to verify its nature. The agency said, “An explosion was heard in Damascus, and work is ongoing to confirm its nature.”
Hundreds of residents from the occupied Syrian Golan gathered at the border, with some attempting to cross into Syrian territory, only to be pushed back by the Israeli military.
This comes as the Israeli army, on Wednesday, reinforced its presence on the Syrian border by deploying two additional battalions, bringing the total to three, out of fear of a mass breach by Israeli Druze citizens, similar to what happened on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, dozens of Druze crossed the border into Syria before being returned by the Israeli army. This occurred as Syrian forces entered the city center of Suwayda to restore order following deadly armed clashes between Bedouin and Druze communities.
Israeli army radio said, “The army has deployed two additional battalions to the Israeli-Syrian border, fearing collective attempts to breach the fence by Druze from Israel.” The battalions included one from the Border Guard and one from a Golani Brigade training base, in addition to another Border Guard unit deployed the previous day.
The radio quoted the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, as saying, “We must force the Syrian regime to withdraw from Suwayda,” claiming that “this is a war of existence.”
Tarif called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Army Minister Yisrael Katz to choose between an alliance with the Druze or with ISIS, an explicit accusation against the Syrian government, which is working to restore order and security in Suwayda Province.
Calls are growing among the Israeli Druze for Netanyahu’s government to intervene in Syria under the banner of “protecting the Druze community in Suwayda from Syrian forces.”
Some Druze serve in the Israeli army and have participated in its wars, including the genocide in Gaza and the aggression on Lebanon.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army radio reported that Netanyahu left the courtroom of the Tel Aviv District Court, where he is facing corruption charges, for urgent consultations.
According to the radio, Netanyahu left the court to attend an emergency meeting with Druze leaders in Israel, including Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, municipal leaders, and Knesset members from various parties, including Likud.
The radio added, “Among the main concerns raised in the emergency meeting were the possibility of a mass breach of the Israeli-Syrian border and the defection of Druze soldiers from the army.”
The Israeli strikes on the provinces of Suwayda and Daraa coincided with the deployment of Syrian troops in both areas to restore security and protect citizens and their property, after clashes between armed Druze and Bedouin groups left dozens dead.
Alongside what it claims is a campaign to “disarm southern Syria,” Tel Aviv continues to use the pretext of “protecting the Druze” as a justification for its repeated violations of Syrian sovereignty.
Most Druze leaders in Syria have repeatedly voiced their rejection of any foreign interference in the country’s affairs, while Damascus continues to affirm its commitment to equal rights for all sects.
