Israeli Defense Forces confirm artillery strikes on Syrian sites following the launch of two projectiles.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has denounced an Israeli military action in Deraa, reporting that it resulted in “significant human and material losses,” according to the state-run news agency SANA.
This military response occurred after Israel claimed that two projectiles were launched from Syria into its territory on Tuesday, where they landed in uninhabited areas of the Golan Heights, which Israel occupies. However, the Syrian Foreign Ministry dismissed these claims as “unverified reports.”
The ministry stressed that Syria does not intend to pose a threat to any regional entities.
Responsibility for the projectiles remains unclear. The ministry expressed concern, stating, “Multiple parties may seek to create instability in the region for their own agendas.”
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz placed the blame on Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, asserting, “We hold the Syrian president directly accountable for any threats against Israel, and a decisive response will follow shortly.”
In recent times, Syria and Israel have engaged in indirect discussions aimed at de-escalating tensions, marking a noteworthy shift in relations between these historically adversarial nations in the Middle East.
Various Arab and Palestinian media outlets reported a claim of responsibility from a lesser-known group named the Muhammad Deif Brigades, linked to Hamas’s military leader, who was killed during an Israeli strike in 2024. This claim remains unverified.
In retaliation, the Israeli military confirmed it launched artillery strikes on southern Syria in response to the projectiles.
Local residents reported that Israeli shells were targeting the Wadi Yarmouk region, situated west of Deraa province near the Golan Heights border.
This area has experienced heightened unrest in recent weeks, with reports of Israeli incursions into nearby villages, where residents have reportedly been prevented from cultivating their lands.
Israel has conducted a sustained aerial campaign, disrupting much of Syria’s military infrastructure. Since the 1967 Arab-Israeli War, Israel has occupied the Golan Heights and expanded its control following the removal of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December, citing concerns regarding the new Syrian government’s stability.
Coinciding with the projectile claims from Syria, the Israeli military announced the interception of a missile fired from Yemen.
The Houthis, aligned with Iran, asserted that their missile was aimed at Jaffa, Israel, justifying their actions as support for Palestinians amid ongoing conflicts in Gaza.