Video: Anchor flees as Israeli strike hits Syrian state TV studio during live broadcast
The moment was captured live as explosions rocked the area during the newscast. The anchor was seen fleeing for safety as alarms sounded and the broadcast cut off abruptly.
החלו המכות הכואבות pic.twitter.com/1kJFFXoiua
— ישראל כ'ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 16, 2025
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz later confirmed the strike on social media, stating: 'The warnings in Damascus have ended – now painful blows will come.' He added that the Israeli military would 'continue to operate forcefully' in Suweida, in southern Syria.
Israel has recently expanded its military operations into Syria, particularly in Suweida, where clashes have erupted between the minority Druze community and other armed groups. Addressing Israel's own Druze citizens, Katz said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would protect their community in Syria.
'Prime Minister Netanyahu and I, as Minister of Defence, have made a commitment – and we will uphold it,' Katz said, sharing footage of the live Syrian TV broadcast that was interrupted by the airstrike.
נגמרו האיתותים בדמשק – כעת יבואו מכות כואבות.
צה'ל ימשיך לפעול בעוצמה בסווידא להשמדת הכוחות שתקפו את הדרוזים עד לנסיגתם מלאה.
אחינו הדרוזים בישראל, אתם יכולים לסמוך על צבא ההגנה לישראל שיגן על אחיכם בסוריה. רה'מ נתניהו ואני כשר הביטחון נטלנו התחייבות – ונעמוד בה.
— ישראל כ'ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 16, 2025
In a statement released hours before the latest attacks on Damascus, the Syrian presidency described Israel's actions in the south as 'criminal and illegal behaviour.' The statement also addressed the ongoing conflict between Druze militias and Bedouin tribes in the Suweida region, calling the fighting 'unacceptable under any circumstances' and 'contradictory to national principles.'
Reiterating its commitment to internal stability, the Syrian government said it would 'investigate all related incidents' and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. It vowed not to allow any party to compromise Syria's 'security and stability.'
The government also assured residents of Suweida — a predominantly Druze city — that their rights would be protected and that Damascus would not 'allow anyone to influence their security or stability.'
US Secretary of State said Washington is 'talking to all relevant sides' and reiterated the administration's position that it 'wants the fighting to stop.'
'Hopefully [we] will have some updates on the situation later,' Rubio said when asked about the Israeli strikes during a press briefing.
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