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Asharq Al-Awsat
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Israeli Intervention in Syria… What are the Goals and the Message?
In a dramatic escalation along the Israeli-Syrian frontier, hundreds of Druze from Israel and the occupied Golan Heights attempted to cross the border into Syria this week, declaring their intention to 'stand with' fellow Druze in the southern city of Sweida as it faces attacks from armed factions. The move prompted an immediate and forceful reaction from Israel, culminating in fresh airstrikes inside Syrian territory and an unprecedented political standoff. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz issued a direct warning to Damascus, accusing the Syrian regime of endangering Druze communities and vowing continued military action unless regime forces withdraw from Sweida. The unfolding events, widely regarded as the most serious since Ahmad Al-Sharaa assumed the Syrian presidency in January 2025, have raised growing questions about whether Israel's actions are motivated purely by its stated aim of 'protecting the Druze minority,' or if broader geopolitical objectives are at play. For its part, the Druze national leadership within Israel issued stern warnings about the risks of escalation, calling for restraint and a return to the spirit of the May 2025 agreement that sought to regulate relations in a peaceful, nationalistic manner. On Tuesday, a group of Druze from within Israel attempted to storm the border and enter Syria. Some were turned back by Israeli forces, but others succeeded in crossing. The following day, two additional groups attempted the same action, including one consisting of residents from the occupied Golan Heights. In response, Israel deployed two full Border Guard battalions to the area and forcibly returned individuals who had managed to slip through. In response to the developments, Druze political and spiritual leaders in Israel, led by Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, held an emergency meeting and issued harsh criticism of the Israeli government, accusing it of 'failing to assist our brethren in Syria' and betraying the longstanding 'blood pact' between Israel and the Druze community. The leadership declared its intent to send large groups of Druze youth, many of whom are current or former Israeli soldiers, into Syria 'to fight alongside their kin.' In a bold political move, Druze leaders also declared a general strike throughout Druze communities in Israel and called on members of the community to rally in the Golan Heights. Sheikh Tarif announced that he had sent official letters to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Katz, demanding they pressure the Syrian regime to withdraw from Sweida, describing the current situation as 'a battle for the very survival of the Druze people.' Conversely, Arab nationalist movements within the Syrian Druze community have sounded the alarm against external interference, particularly by Israel. The Druze Initiative Committee stated that Israel's true objective is not the protection of the Druze, most of whom it noted have no ties with Israel and instead remain committed to the May 2025 agreement with Al-Sharaa's government, which explicitly rejected Israeli involvement. The committee accused Israel of pursuing political goals related to ongoing negotiations in Baku over a new security accord. It alleged that Israel is trying to coerce Syria into joining the Abraham Accords under Israeli terms and is seeking to legitimize its continued occupation of Syrian territory, particularly Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh), and maintain its presence at nine military outposts established deep inside Syria following the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's regime. The committee also claimed that Israel is working with armed Syrian factions to ignite conflict in Sweida as a means of furthering its strategy. In a statement, the Progressive Movement for Dialogue called the reports from Sweida 'disturbing and conflicting,' warning that Syrian national unity is not served by isolating Sweida or by spilling Druze blood. 'We have the right and the duty to ask: what has suddenly triggered this eruption of violence, after months of calm under the May 2025 agreement?' the movement asked. Writer and political figure Said Naffaa, head of the movement, praised the overwhelming majority of Druze leadership in Syria for rejecting foreign interference and division. 'We commend their firm stance against any form of foreign intervention and their commitment to dialogue and preserving civil peace,' he said. Israeli Message On Wednesday, the Israeli military confirmed that its air force had targeted the entrance to the Syrian military's General Staff headquarters in Damascus, citing ongoing threats to Druze civilians in southern Syria. A spokesperson for the Israeli army said the strike was launched under direct political orders and that the military is 'monitoring developments closely and remains prepared for a range of scenarios.' For his part, Katz said: 'If Syrian forces do not withdraw from Sweida, Israel will continue its strikes on regime positions and escalate its responses further. Our message is clear.' He added: 'The Syrian regime must stay away from Druze areas in Sweida. As we've made clear: Israel will not abandon the Druze. The Israeli army will continue its operations until regime forces are removed, and it is ready to raise the stakes if the message is not understood.'
Days of Palestine
16-07-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Israel Launches Airstrikes on Syrian Army Headquarters in Damascus
DaysofPal – Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on Wednesday targeting the Syrian army's general staff headquarters in the heart of Damascus, marking a significant escalation in Israel's military activity across Syria. The strikes followed what Israel called a 'warning' operation earlier in the day and came amid heightened tensions over the Syrian regime's actions in Druze-populated areas in the south. According to a statement by the Israeli military, fighter jets struck the entrance gate to the Syrian army's general command compound in Damascus in response to what Defense Minister Yisrael Katz described as the Syrian regime's presence in Suwayda and nearby Druze villages. Katz publicly warned the government to withdraw its forces from the area and 'leave the Druze alone.' The Israeli army further threatened more strikes, stating it was 'monitoring developments and actions against Druze citizens in Syria' and would act 'based on instructions from the political level.' The army added that it had placed additional aircraft on alert and diverted them to the Syrian front, signaling preparations for further operations. The Damascus strike was part of a wider Israeli aerial campaign across southern Syria. Earlier Wednesday, Israeli jets bombed several military positions belonging to the Syrian army in the provinces of Suwayda and Daraa. Local sources and state media reported strikes on the Shagrawiya area in the Suwayda countryside and the vicinity of the Thala military airport, where casualties were reported among Syrian government forces. Further attacks struck the 52nd Brigade base in Al-Harak, located in the Daraa countryside. A day earlier, Israeli jets targeted a military convoy as it withdrew from Suwayda, followed by another strike near Izra in eastern Daraa, which reportedly caused only material damage. The official Syrian news agency SANA confirmed the Israeli strikes and reported that two people were injured in the attack on Damascus. No further details were provided on the extent of the damage or whether the wounded were civilians or military personnel. The occupation army claimed that its raids were 'to protect the Druze' in Suwayda, which has been witnessing clashes between local armed factions and Bedouin tribes since Sunday against the backdrop of mutual detentions, before Syrian security forces intervened to calm the situation. Shortlink for this post:
See - Sada Elbalad
15-07-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
12 killed, 8 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Bekaa Valley, eastern Lebanon
Amir hagag An Israeli airstrike on Tuesday on the Wadi Fara area in Lebanon's northern Bekaa Valley, including one targeting a camp for displaced Syrians, killed 12 people and injured eight others. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz revealed on Tuesday that the ongoing Israeli strikes on Lebanon are a clear message to Hezbollah, accusing the Iran-backed group of seeking to rebuild its capabilities in violation of a ceasefire agreement. The Israeli military said earlier today that it had begun bombing targets belonging to the group's elite Radwan Force in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley. The Lebanese Health Ministry said at least six people were injured in the Israeli airstrikes. Katz said in a statement: "The ongoing IDF airstrikes in Lebanon are a clear message to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which plans to rebuild its capabilities to launch attacks against Israel through the Radwan Force." He stated that the raids were also a message to the Lebanese government, which is responsible for maintaining the ceasefire agreement. There has been no public response so far from Hezbollah or the Lebanese government to the latest Israeli raids. On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes launched raids on the western and eastern mountain ranges in Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, according to the local Central News Agency. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Israeli-Linked Hadassah Clinic in Moscow Treats Wounded Iranian IRGC Fighters News China Launches Largest Ever Aircraft Carrier Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Videos & Features Tragedy Overshadows MC Alger Championship Celebration: One Fan Dead, 11 Injured After Stadium Fall Lifestyle Get to Know 2025 Eid Al Adha Prayer Times in Egypt News "Tensions Escalate: Iran Probes Allegations of Indian Tech Collaboration with Israeli Intelligence" News Flights suspended at Port Sudan Airport after Drone Attacks Arts & Culture Hawass Foundation Launches 1st Course to Teach Ancient Egyptian Language Videos & Features Video: Trending Lifestyle TikToker Valeria Márquez Shot Dead during Live Stream Technology 50-Year Soviet Spacecraft 'Kosmos 482' Crashes into Indian Ocean
Days of Palestine
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
British MPs Call on Their Government to Recognize Palestine Immediately
DaysofPal- Dozens of Labour Party MPs in the British Parliament have called on their government to 'immediately recognize' the State of Palestine and take steps to prevent the Israeli occupation from displacing residents of the Gaza Strip. This came in a letter sent by around 60 Labour MPs (from the ruling party) to Foreign Secretary David Lammy. In their letter, the MPs urged the British government to take immediate action to stop the Israeli government from carrying out its forced displacement plan in the city of Rafah, southern Gaza, and to move forward with the immediate recognition of the Palestinian state. They noted that their letter followed the announcement by Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz of plans to 'forcibly displace all Palestinians in Gaza to a camp established on the ruins of Rafah city, without allowing them to leave,' to expel them later entirely. The British MPs considered Katz's plans to amount to 'ethnic cleansing' of the Gaza Strip. In their letter, they quoted prominent Israeli human rights lawyer Michael Sfard, who described the Israeli plan as an 'operational blueprint for committing crimes against humanity.' According to Sfard, the plan involves 'moving the population of Gaza to the southernmost part of the Strip as a prelude to deporting them outside.' Shortlink for this post:
Days of Palestine
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
'Leveled to the Ground': Israeli Army Minister Brags About Gaza's Destruction
DaysofPal – The Israeli Army Minister, Yisrael Katz, on Friday shared an aerial image of Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza, reduced entirely to rubble, boasting that the city had been 'leveled to the ground.' The photo, posted to Katz's account on the platform X, revealed a haunting landscape of pulverized homes and shattered infrastructure, capturing the scale of devastation inflicted by months of relentless Israeli bombing. 'After Rafah and Beit Hanoun…,' Katz wrote, suggesting that the leveling of entire cities has become a military benchmark. The image showed no standing buildings, only a vast gray expanse of dust and ruins, marking the complete erasure of what was once a densely populated Palestinian town. Beit Hanoun, located near Gaza's northern border with Israel, has been under total siege for days. On Tuesday, the Israeli military announced it had encircled the city from all sides and launched a new wave of intensive airstrikes. The latest escalation follows months of bombardment that have left the city's infrastructure decimated and its population displaced or buried under rubble. On June 2, the Municipalities Emergency Committee in northern Gaza declared Beit Hanoun a 'disaster area,' citing the catastrophic destruction of infrastructure, the collapse of all vital services, and an unlivable humanitarian situation. Before the current war began, the town was home to an estimated 60,000 people, spread over approximately 17,000 dunums. Today, nothing remains but broken concrete and dust. The same fate has already befallen Rafah, Gaza's southernmost city, which lies along the border with Egypt. Once a final refuge for displaced Palestinians, Rafah has been almost entirely razed by Israeli forces. As part of a controversial new plan announced on July 7, Katz unveiled Israel's intention to create a so-called 'humanitarian city' in Rafah. This proposed zone, located between the Morag and Philadelphia axes on the Egyptian border, is widely viewed by rights groups and analysts as a forced displacement scheme. Israeli military analyst Alon Ben-David, speaking on Channel 13, described the area as a de facto detention zone, fenced off from the rest of Gaza. 'This is not a humanitarian area. It's a place from which you can only exit Gaza, not return,' he said. Ben-David added that this strategy could further expose Israel to international war crimes charges. Shortlink for this post:
