Israeli airstrike near presidential palace in Damascus

The Israeli army has claimed responsibility for an airstrike on Damascus, stating that it was part of its efforts to prevent the deployment of forces loyal to the Damascus regime in southern Syria.

2 May, 2025 09:43

NEWSDESK

Sites in Damascus were targeted by an airstrike early this morning near the presidential palace, with no comment yet from the Damascus authorities. The Israeli army has confirmed its responsibility for the attack.

Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated in a post on platform "X" that warplanes struck "the area adjacent to Ahmed Hussein Al-Sharaa’s palace in Damascus."

In the early hours following the airstrike, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel had targeted a location near the presidential palace in Damascus, reiterating his commitment to protecting the Druze community.

In a joint statement with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu said: “Last night, Israel carried out an airstrike near the presidential palace in Damascus. We will not allow (Syrian) forces to deploy south of Damascus or pose any threat to the Druze.”

No further information has been released regarding the specific targets of the strike or the resulting damage, amid silence from the Damascus authorities and lack of clarification from the Israeli army.

Over the past three days, areas populated by the Druze community in rural Damascus, as well as in and around As-Suwayda, have witnessed security tensions and clashes between local armed groups and regime forces. These events have resulted in more than 75 deaths, amid ongoing efforts to de-escalate the situation, while some parties continue to escalate tensions.

A-H

ANHA