"Clear message," Israel strikes near Syrian Presidential Palace in defense of Druze Community

In a dramatic escalation of regional tensions, Israel launched a targeted airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus early Friday morning, sending what officials described as a “clear message” to the Syrian regime. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz jointly confirmed the operation, emphasizing that Israel would not tolerate any threats against the Druze community in Syria or allow Syrian military forces to advance south of Damascus.

“This is a clear message to the Syrian regime,” the joint statement read. “We will not permit Syrian troops to move south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.” The IDF Spokesperson's Unit later verified, “A short while ago, IDF fighter jets struck adjacent to the area of the Palace of Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus.”

The strike followed a wave of intense protests across northern Israel, led by the country’s Druze population, who were outraged over reported attacks on their fellow Druze in Syria by the regime of President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Demonstrators blocked major thoroughfares including the Eliakim interchange on Highway 6, as well as the Kabri and Amiad junctions. Protesters ignited tires and disrupted traffic for hours before marching towards Netanyahu’s private residence in Caesarea to demand immediate intervention.

In parallel, a coalition of Druze reservists sent an urgent letter to Netanyahu, titled “Immediate IDF intervention to stop the massacre against the Druze community in Syria.” The letter declared, “Hundreds of Druze fighters are ready to immediately volunteer and fight alongside our brothers to save them, even at the cost of taking responsibility for ourselves, including all the risks involved to our safety and lives.”

Defense Minister Katz reinforced the urgency of the situation earlier in the day, explicitly warning Syrian President Julani: “If the attacks on the Druze in Syria do not stop, we will respond with great severity.” He stressed that Israel remains “committed to their protection and is closely monitoring the situation.”

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also weighed in during a reception at the President’s Residence, calling on the international community to intervene. “Fulfill your role in protecting the minorities in Syria, and specifically the Druze, from the regime and its terrorist gangs,” Sa’ar urged foreign diplomats.

The airstrike underscores Israel’s strategic and humanitarian commitment to defending its Druze population, while also serving as a stark warning to Damascus about the consequences of continued aggression against minority communities in the region.