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It was the second time in days that Israel had intervened militarily in Syria amid sectarian violence targeting the Druse.
May 2, 2025Updated 4:02 a.m. ET
Israeli fighter jets struck near the presidential palace in Damascus, the Syrian capital, early Friday, in what Israel’s leaders said was a message to President Ahmed al-Sharaa that they are willing to attack deep inside his country after a recent wave of sectarian violence.
In recent days, more than 100 people have died in clashes between Syrian pro-government forces and militants from the country’s Druse minority.
The Druse practice a secretive religion with its roots in Islam, and some of those living in Syria have ties to the Druse community in Israel.
Defense Minister Israel Katz called the strikes “a clear warning” and said that when Mr. al-Sharaa “wakes up and sees the results of the strike of Israeli Air Force jets, he will understand well that Israel is determined to prevent any harm to the Druse in Syria.”
In an earlier statement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Mr. Katz said, “We will not allow a movement of forces from south of Damascus and any danger to the Druse community.”
The strike on Friday was the second time since the violence erupted this week that Israel had intervened militarily inside Syria on behalf of the Druse.
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