Israeli fighter jets hit targets south of Syria's capital, Damascus

DAMASCUS,— Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes on a town south of Syria’s capital and locations in the southern province of Daraa late Tuesday, according to residents, security sources, and state media.

The strikes hit Kisweh, a town about 20 kilometers south of Damascus, a Syrian security source and state-run Syria TV reported. The security source said a military site was targeted but did not provide additional details.

Further air raids struck a town in Daraa province, according to a local resident and Syria TV.

The Israeli military later confirmed the operation, stating it had targeted military sites in southern Syria, including headquarters and locations containing weapons.

“The Air Force is conducting significant operations in southern Syria as part of our policy to maintain security in the region,”

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s office said in a statement. “Our stance is firm: Southern Syria will not be allowed to turn into another Southern Lebanon.”

Katz’s office stated that “any move by Syrian government forces or militant groups to gain a foothold in the security zone will face a swift military response.”

Residents in Damascus reportedly on the ground heard fighter jets flying low over the capital, followed by a series of explosions.

The airstrikes came just hours after Syria condemned Israel’s actions in the south and called for an immediate withdrawal, according to a closing statement from a national summit.

Israel recently moved forces into a U.N.-monitored demilitarized zone in Syria after rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former Al Qaeda affiliate, seized control of the area in December.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israel would not tolerate the presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) or any other Islamist militant groups in southern Syria and called for the area to be fully demilitarized.

In December 2024, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar criticized the new Islamist government in Damascus, referring to it as a “gang” and warning of the risks posed by extremist groups operating across Syria.

(With files from Reuters)