Israel Strikes Near the Syrian Presidential Palace

Israel launched a significant airstrike targeting military installations in Damascus, including the Syrian defence ministry and an area adjacent to the presidential palace on Wednesday, July 16.

A Reuters witness confirmed the raid, marking a sharp escalation in Israeli military activity centered on Syria’s capital.

The Israeli military, the IDF, stated the strikes were a direct response to ongoing assaults against the Druze minority in southern Syria, particularly around Suwayda.

Defence Minister Israel Katz had earlier demanded that the Syrian government “leave Druze alone,” linking the aggression in Suwayda with the decision to carry out precision airstrikes in Damascus.

Syria's Health Ministry later reported that at least one person was killed and 28 more wounded in the Damascus strikes. These airstrikes heavily damaged the defence ministry building and struck proximate to the presidential palace compound, demonstrating Israel’s intention to hit high-value military targets.

The escalation follows days of intense clashes in Suwayda between Druze forces and Bedouin tribes.

Israel has repeatedly portrayed these air operations as protective measures for the Druze, which it views as aligned with Israel’s Druze minority communities. Syrian state agencies denounced the strike near the presidential palace as a "dangerous escalation" and accused Israel of breaching Syrian sovereignty.

Syria's state media shared the Interior Ministry's statement about a Suwayda ceasefire deal; however, Israel has not commented on this deal.

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