On Wednesday, July 16, the Israeli army announced it had targeted the General Staff compound belonging to the Syrian government in central Damascus. According to Syrian state media, two civilians were injured in the strike.
In a post on X, Avichay Adraee, the Israeli military’s Arabic-language spokesperson, stated:
“The Israeli army has just struck the entrance gate to the General Staff compound of the Syrian regime in the Damascus area.”
Adraee added that the Israeli military “continues to monitor developments and actions against Druze civilians in Syria,” and that, under political directives, it remains on alert and ready to respond to various scenarios.
Syria’s state-run Ikhbariya TV reported that “two civilians were injured as a result of the Israeli aggression in central Damascus.” The Syrian Ministry of Defense has not officially confirmed any casualties among its forces.
The airstrike in Damascus coincided with ongoing Israeli strikes in Suwayda, where clashes have been reported between Syrian government forces and local factions.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a statement on Wednesday calling on the Syrian army to withdraw its forces or face continued escalation.
As quoted by Israeli media outlets, including The Times of Israel, Katz stated:
“The Syrian regime must leave the Druze in Suwayda alone and withdraw its forces.”
He added:
“As we’ve made clear and warned, Israel will not abandon the Druze in Syria and will enforce the disarmament policy we have decided on.”
Katz also warned that the Israeli military would continue to strike Syrian government forces until their withdrawal, and that “the level of Israel’s response will soon increase if the message is not understood.”
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