Syria was rocked overnight: Syrian state media reported at least 20 Israeli strikes across the country, including the provinces of Damascus, Daraa, Quneitra, Hama, and Idlib. The IDF confirmed that 12 fighter jets targeted dozens of infrastructure components and weapon systems, including anti-aircraft artillery and surface-to-air missile launchers. On Saturday morning, reports emerged of three additional strikes near the former headquarters of Brigade 47 in Hama province.
Watch the Israeli airstrike in Syria:
According to Syrian medical sources cited by Al Jazeera, a drone strike in the Suwayda area killed four civilians, which the Syrian government blamed on Israel. Four more civilians reportedly died in Kanaker, also near Suwayda. Syrian media labeled it “Israeli aggression,” but the IDF denied responsibility for attacks in that region.
Evacuation and Humanitarian Aid
The IDF announced five wounded Syrian Druze civilians were evacuated to Ziv Medical Center in Safed. In total, 16 Druze-Syrian casualties have been evacuated to Israel over the past several days. In parallel, an Israeli Air Force transport helicopter delivered humanitarian aid to the Druze community in al-Suwayda, according to IDF Radio’s Doron Kadosh.
What Happened to the Alawites Won’t Happen to Us
The recent Druze–Sunni clashes in southern Syria are deeply shaking the Israeli Druze community, sparking protests demanding intervention. Some demonstrators reportedly blocked roads, attacked civilians, and even assaulted an IDF soldier Thursday night.
The unrest began after an audio clip allegedly from a Druze individual was circulated online, reportedly containing derogatory remarks about the Prophet Muhammad. This led to sectarian violence in areas like Jaramana, southeast of Damascus, where at least 14 people were killed. Reports say that Druze religious leaders were targeted and killed, as the Druze—opposed to the rule of Julani—clashed with Sunni militants aligned with him.
An Israeli Druze man, speaking anonymously to Rega NEWS, called for military action: “What happened to the Alawites won’t happen to us.”
Netanyahu Speaks with Druze Spiritual Leader in Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone call with Sheikh Muwafaq Tarif, the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel. Sheikh Tarif thanked Netanyahu for ordering decisive action to protect Druze in Syria, including the strike near the presidential palace in Damascus.
Netanyahu emphasized the importance of obeying the law in Israel, calling on the Druze community to refrain from violence. He stated, “Israel is a state of law, and we must all respect it. This is a fundamental requirement that cannot be compromised.”
In a statement, Sheikh Tarif reportedly agreed with the Prime Minister and said Druze leaders condemned the recent acts of violence and reaffirmed the community’s commitment to the rule of law in Israel.
