The Israeli military said it launched strikes on targets in Syria on Tuesday, responding to projectile launched from Syrian territory, with Defense Minister Israel Katz explicitly holding Syria’s leader directly responsible for these provocative actions. However, Syria’s foreign affairs ministry vehemently denied any involvement in the projectile launches, asserting that Syria has never posed and will never pose a threat to regional stability.
Israeli media reported that these strikes marked the first instance of projectiles fired from Syria into Israeli territory since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, with no reports of casualties or damage on the Israeli side. The projectiles triggered air raid sirens in parts of the southern Golan Heights, a region Israel captured from Syria in 1967 and annexed in 1981.
Statements from Key Figures
Israeli defence minister, Israel Katz, issued a statement through his office, emphasizing that they view the Syrian president as directly responsible for any threats or attacks directed at Israel. Syria’s interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the Islamist group that overthrew Assad, now faces the consequences of these actions.
The Israeli military confirmed that two projectiles crossed from Syria into Israeli territory, landing in open areas. In response, Israeli artillery struck targets in southern Syria. Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported shelling targeting the Yarmuk Basin in the west of Daraa province. The Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, noted that the bombardments hit farmland without reporting any casualties.
Regional Impact and International Reactions
Violent explosions shook southern Syria, particularly the town of Quneitra and the Daraa region, following Israeli aerial strikes overnight. Syria condemned the Israeli shelling as a blatant violation of its sovereignty, which further aggravates regional tensions. The foreign ministry reiterated that Syria has never been a threat to anyone in the region.
The ministry denied responsibility for the strikes but acknowledged that numerous parties are attempting to destabilize the region for their own interests. They emphasized the priority of extending state authority in southern Syria and ending the presence of unauthorized weapons. Following Assad’s overthrow, Israel moved its forces into the UN-patrolled demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights and has conducted hundreds of strikes against military targets in Syria.
Ongoing Military Operations
Israel asserts that these strikes aim to prevent advanced weapons from reaching Syria’s new authorities, whom they consider jihadists. The Israeli military stated that its troops continue defensive operations in southern Syria to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and protect residents of the Golan Heights. Syria and Israel have technically been at war since 1948.
US President Donald Trump announced the lifting of sanctions on Syria last month and expressed hope for normalized relations with Israel. However, experts believe that this prospect remains far from reality since the situation continues to evolve, with both nations on high alert and international observers closely monitoring the developments.
The recent exchange of fire between Israel and Syria underscores the volatile nature of their relationship. As both countries navigate this complex geopolitical landscape, the international community watches with bated breath, hoping for a de-escalation of tensions and a path towards lasting peace in the region.
