DAMASCUS, Syria — The dense smoke still lingered over the Qanawat district by sunrise, billowing from the skeletal ruins of the Syrian Defence Ministry building. Hours earlier, Israeli fighter jets had unleashed a barrage of airstrikes on central Damascus, striking near the Presidential Palace and igniting global outrage over what Syrian officials described as an “act of unprovoked aggression targeting civilians and sovereignty.”
The Israeli assault, confirmed as the third consecutive day of cross-border military action, killed at least three civilians and wounded thirty-four others, according to Syria’s Ministry of Health and civil defense responders. The strikes coincided with renewed violence in the southern province of Suwayda, a predominantly Druze region that has become the latest battleground in Syria’s long war, with Israel now inserting itself militarily into the complex sectarian terrain.
Sectarian fires and foreign interference
According to BBC News, the Syrian Defence Ministry building sustained substantial damage in the Israeli attack, prompting emergency evacuations of nearby government offices. Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz defended the strikes, claiming they targeted “military elements involved in attacks on the Druze population” in Suwayda.
The Arab League, alongside governments in Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, condemned Israel’s bombing campaign as a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and international law. Turkey, which has led mediation efforts among Syrian factions, condemned the strikes as aggressive, risk-laden actions and announced the suspension of trade and the recall of its ambassador to Israel, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Sectarian violence flared again in mid‑July in Suwayda, entering clashes involving Druze militias, Sunni Bedouin tribal fighters, and occasional Syrian army checkpoints. Monitor groups report that more than 350–374 people have been killed over the past two weeks, including approximately 169 in the most recent four‑day surge, according to sources including CNN.
Global reaction: fury and fear of escalation
The strikes on Damascus—one of the most fortified cities in the Middle East—have sparked swift and wide-ranging international condemnation.
The United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres issued a formal statement describing the attacks as a “violation of Syrian sovereignty and a dangerous escalation with potential for regional conflagration,” according to Associated Press.
The Arab League, along with individual governments from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Iraq, Egypt, Jordan, and Lebanon, condemned Israel’s bombing campaign. Turkey, which has sought to mediate among Syria’s internal factions, called the airstrikes “reckless acts of aggression” and “a clear breach of international law.”
Russia, which maintains a military presence in Syria under mutual defense pacts, strongly condemned the airstrikes as illegal and warned they risk igniting a broader regional conflict under the pretext of Druze-protection, according to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry as cited by Gazeta.
The Druze question: protection or pretext?
Israel’s repeated invocation of Druze protection has raised serious questions about its strategic objectives. Analysts speaking to The New York Times suggest that Israel is leveraging the inter-communal fighting in Suwayda as a “cover narrative” to expand its operational latitude inside Syrian territory.
“The concern is not Druze safety, but Israeli deterrence,” said Syrian geopolitical analyst Dr. Samer Hasani. “By intervening under humanitarian pretext, Tel Aviv seeks to discredit the Syrian state, provoke Iran-backed groups, and test Russia’s red lines.”
President al‑Sharaa’s office warned of possible retaliatory measures if further Israeli incursions continue, stating that “sovereignty and civilian lives are not bargaining chips.”
Ceasefire in Suwayda, but will it hold?
Following behind-the-scenes negotiations reportedly facilitated by Turkey and the United States, a fragile ceasefire was announced late Wednesday across Suwayda province. Government forces began withdrawing from the area, with responsibility for internal security now transferred to local Druze tribal councils, a decision seen as a temporary concession to avoid broader conflict.
In a televised address, President al‑Sharaa pledged to protect minority rights but cautioned external actors against weaponizing communal identities to fragment Syria further.
Al Jazeera’s coverage noted that while fighting subsided for now, residents remain fearful. “There is no trust left in international promises,” said a Druze elder from Shahba town. “The Israelis bomb, the Americans negotiate, and we bury our sons.”
What’s next: brinkmanship or diplomacy?
Israel’s escalation in Syria coincides with mounting political pressure at home and growing regional realignments. With the Iran-Israel confrontation on the horizon, and Russia deepening its military foothold in Syria, many observers view these latest attacks not as isolated incidents but as harbingers of a much larger strategic gamble.
According to a retired Syrian diplomat (name not publicly cited), analysts suggest that Israel may be “testing the limits” of how far it can push before Russia, Iran, or Hezbollah respond, with ordinary Syrians bearing the tragic consequences of Tel Aviv’s continued military experimentation.
As of Thursday, there were no reported Israeli casualties. Syrian officials confirmed that air defenses were only partially activated, citing the location of the Israeli jets over Lebanon as complicating response.
