Hundreds of armed Druze civilians crossed the border fence from Israel into Syria near Majdal Shams. IDF forces are currently working to safely return those who crossed.
Afterwards, IDF forces identified dozens of suspects attempting to infiltrate Israeli territory from Syria near the village of Hader. IDF troops, in coordination with Border Police units, are working to prevent the infiltration and disperse the gathering.
The leadership of Israel's Druze community, headed by spiritual leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, issued an urgent call on Wednesday for the Israeli government to take immediate action in response to what it described as a brutal massacre of Druze residents in southern Syria. "Women, children and the elderly are being murdered in cold blood, while Israel stands by," read an official statement issued by the community.
Video: Hundreds of Druze have crossed the border fence in Majdal Shams
Meanwhile, the Al-Arabi channel reported that Israeli airstrikes targeted Islamist regime forces in the Sweida province of southern Syria. Gunfire was also reported within the city. The Al-Watan newspaper reported an explosion in Damascus.
Later, the IDF Spokesperson issues a statment: "A short time ago, the IDF struck the entrance gate of the Syrian regime's General Staff Headquarters in the Damascus area. The IDF continues to monitor developments and the actions being taken against Druze civilians in southern Syria. In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is carrying out strikes in the area and is prepared for various scenarios."
Video: The moment of the strike near the Syrian military general staff building, as broadcast on Syrian state television // Arab networks
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning to the Syrian regime and its president, Ahmed al-Sharaa: "The Syrian regime must back off the Druze in Sweida and withdraw its forces. As we've made clear and repeatedly warned, Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria and will enforce the demilitarization policy we've adopted. The IDF will continue to strike regime forces until they retreat from the area, and will soon escalate its responses if the message is not understood."
This is a developing story.
