Israel Strikes Presidential Palace and Ministry of Defense in Damascus, Katz Threatens 'Painful' Strikes

The Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on Damascus today, Wednesday, targeting the General Staff building, the Ministry of Defense, and the vicinity of the presidential palace. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz announced that the warnings to Damascus have ended and threatened what he called 'painful strikes' following renewed fierce clashes in Sweida in the south of the country.

Two civilians were injured in an Israeli shelling that targeted central Damascus this Wednesday afternoon according to the Syrian News Channel. An Israeli security source announced that the army raided the entrance of the Syrian General Staff headquarters in a message directed to President Ahmad Al-Shara regarding the events in Sweida in the south of the country according to the Israeli Broadcasting Authority.

Katz said in statements, 'We will continue to work forcefully in Sweida to destroy the forces that attacked the Druze until their withdrawal,' adding that the shelling targeted 'a target close to the general command in Damascus and the strikes will continue to escalate unless the message is understood.' He added, 'We have been carrying out escalating strikes for the past 24 hours and targeting regime sites in Sweida.'

Katz continued that the pace of strikes in Syria will increase if Damascus does not understand the message, adding that southern Syria will be a demilitarized zone.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the situation in Sweida and in southwest Syria is very dangerous, adding, 'We are working to save our Druze brothers and to eliminate the regime's gangs.'