Israel attacks target near Syrian presidential palace, Netanyahu says

Israel attacked a target near the presidential palace in the Syrian capital Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early on Friday, reiterating his vow to protect members of the Druze community.

It marks the second time Israel has struck Syria in as many days, following through on a promise to defend the minority group, which was involved in sectarian violence against Sunni gunmen earlier this week.

The Druze adhere to a faith that is an offshoot of Islam and have followers in Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

The strikes reflect Israel's deep mistrust of the Sunni Islamists who toppled Bashar al-Assad in December, posing a further challenge to interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa's efforts to establish control over the fractured nation.

"Israel struck last night near the presidential palace in Damascus," Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Defence Minister Israel Katz.

"This is a clear message to the Syrian regime: We will not allow (Syrian) forces to deploy south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community."

(Cover: A view of Syrian capital Damascus on May 1, 2025. /VCG)