Israel Strikes Near Syrian Presidential Palace Amid Druze Conflict
Jerusalem | May 3, 2025
Israel launched airstrikes on an area adjacent to Syria’s presidential palace in Damascus early Friday, citing the need to protect the Druze minority following a week of deadly sectarian clashes in southern Syria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the strike a “clear message” to Syria’s transitional government, warning against threats near the capital and in Druze-majority areas like Suweida. He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to shielding Druze communities from jihadist attacks.
Multiple Airstrikes Confirmed
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed a second wave of strikes later Friday targeting military installations. Syrian state media reported one death, while the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said nearly 20 airstrikes were conducted.
A local TV report indicated that the strike near the palace did not cause casualties or visible damage.
Syria’s government condemned the attacks as a “dangerous escalation” and violation of its sovereignty, urging the international community to stand with Damascus.
Sectarian Violence Sparks Regional Concern
Violence erupted in Jaramana, Ashrafiyat Sahnaya, and Suweida following circulation of a controversial audio clip allegedly insulting Prophet Muhammad. The Druze cleric implicated was later cleared, but unrest spread quickly.
SOHR reports over 100 deaths in the past week alone, including Druze civilians, fighters, and security personnel. One incident saw 42 Druze men ambushed and killed on their way from Suweida to Damascus.
Israeli Position and Druze Leaders’ Response
Israel’s Defense Minister said the country would not tolerate Syrian deployment near its borders nor “jihadist incursions” into Druze areas. He emphasized that Syria must protect its own minorities and ensure Druze safety.
Druze religious leaders in Syria, including Sheikh Hikmat al-Hijri, described the violence as a “genocidal campaign” and urged international peacekeeping intervention. Another cleric, Sheikh Hamoud al-Hinawi, told the BBC that while he supported state authority, “it is a matter of life and death,” and Druze communities must defend themselves.
Regional & International Reaction
UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned Israel’s bombing, calling it a violation of Syria’s territorial integrity. He urged restraint and adherence to international law.
Israel’s strikes follow months of mounting tension since the Sunni Islamist-led ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The new transitional government under Ahmed al-Sharaa faces mounting pressure over minority protection, especially after mass killings of Alawite civilians in March.
Israel considers Sharaa’s coalition, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—a former al-Qaeda affiliate—a terrorist threat and demands the demilitarization of southern Syria.
As the conflict deepens, Israel continues air and ground operations to protect its northern border and monitor militant movements in the buffer zones near the Golan Heights, escalating tensions with Damascus.
