Israel Bombs Syrian Targets Near Presidential Palace in Warning to Sharaa

Israeli jets struck targets near the presidential palace in Damascus early Friday morning in what was described as a "warning" to the Syrian government. According to a statement released by the Israeli military, the strikes hit near the official residence of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a joint statement following the strike: "This is a clear message to the Syrian regime. We will not allow forces to be sent south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community."

Fighting erupted this week in southern Syria between government forces and Druze factions, leaving dozens of civilians dead and at least 11 members of the Syrian security forces killed. On Wednesday, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, the leader of Israel’s Druze community, called on the Israeli government to act in order to prevent violence against Syria's Druze population.

In February, Israel warned the Syrian government that any military operations targeting the Druze would prompt retaliation. This week’s clashes mark the first direct conflict between the Syrian government and the Druze population since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December.

Following Assad’s ouster, the Israeli Air Force destroyed much of Syria’s remaining military infrastructure, including its air force and air defense systems. The strike on Damascus appears intended to remind the new government under al-Sharaa that Israel maintains the ability to project power anywhere within Syria.

Israel’s backing of the Druze community stems not only from solidarity with its own Druze citizens, though it may also reflect a broader geopolitical strategy aimed at expanding Israeli influence in Syria and potentially bringing southern Syria into its sphere of influence.