Israel Strikes Near Defense Ministry in Damascus
The strike came as clashes continued in the southern Syrian city of Sweida after a ceasefire between government forces and armed groups collapsed.
Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on convoys of government forces since the clashes erupted, saying that it is acting to protect the Druze.
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He commended the collaboration between Mufti Derian and the Druze spiritual leader, Sheikh Aql Sami Abi Al-Mona, during Syria's Sweida clashes, calling it evidence of 'elevated national consciousness and profound responsibility.' The president criticized those 'spreading rumors to intimidate citizens against one another,' while celebrating the dual contributions of Lebanon's Sunni community: internal moderation and affirming Lebanon's Arab identity. Aoun praised the community's sacrifices, noting religious and political leaders who died serving Lebanon, from clerics Sheikh Ahmed Assaf, Mufti Hassan Khaled, and Mufti Subhi Al-Saleh, to prime ministers Riad Al-Solh, Rashid Karami, and Rafic Hariri. 'No individual possesses the power to eliminate another in Lebanon, nor does anyone hold superior merit,' Aoun said. 'United, we all serve Lebanon's interests. Divided, we destroy the entire nation, leaving no protection for anyone.' Aoun reported significant progress in government reform, claiming achievements unseen in nearly 15 years — recognition he attributed to international observers. While acknowledging the absence of quick fixes, he emphasized making the most of available opportunities. Addressing corruption — which he identified as Lebanon's core problem alongside impunity — Aoun vowed continued action. 'Corruption recognizes no boundaries of color, sect, or denomination,' he concluded. Meanwhile, Mufti Derian expressed deep concern over the prevailing 'fear and anxiety among the Lebanese,' warning that the country is entering a precarious phase during continued Israeli aggression. He emphasized that UN Resolution 1701, which brought an end to the 2006 war, has been implemented solely by the Lebanese side, while Israel has consistently failed to respect its obligations under the resolution. The November 2024 ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah was intended to revive the terms of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for Israeli withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, a halt to Hezbollah's military operations near the southern border, and full control of arms by the Lebanese state. But little progress has been made. 'Even the ceasefire that followed was unilateral, respected and implemented only by Lebanon. According to what we are witnessing, new agreements are now being proposed. Let Resolution 1701, which encompasses all relevant matters, be implemented in full, and let new agreements be dispensed with,' Mufti Derian said in a call for international accountability. He added: 'The Lebanese people have endured immense hardship in recent years, facing one crisis after another, and yet they have remained resilient. Today, more than ever, they need to feel the presence of a state that stands to protect them.' 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Lebanon is facing mounting international pressure to implement the US plan, which calls for setting a timetable for the process of restricting arms to the state in implementation of the ceasefire agreement. US Special Envoy Tom Barrack highlighted the issue on Wednesday upon his departure from Lebanon after a three-day visit filled with meetings with Lebanese officials. Barrack confirmed from Beirut airport that 'there is no deadline for this, and your neighbors are the ones who set the timetable, not the United States,' referring to Israel. On the security front, the Central Internal Security Council convened a high-level meeting, bringing together senior military, security, and judicial officials. Lebanon's Interior Minister Ahmad Hajjar emphasized the importance of sustained field operations, calling for intensified patrols and a reinforced security presence in Lebanese regions to uphold internal stability. He also highlighted the need to strengthen existing measures along the Syrian border to ensure tighter control and enhanced national security. The Lebanese Army Command announced that army units arrested 78 Syrians at the Assi-Hermel and Chadra-Akkar checkpoints for illegally entering Lebanese territory. The army also said that an Intelligence Directorate patrol raided the homes of wanted individuals in Beirut's southern suburbs, specifically in the Bir al-Abed area, and arrested four citizens.
