Israel strikes Damascus military HQ as fighting between Syrian forces and Druze continues – live updates

Image source, Reuters

Shortly after Israeli strikes on Damascus began, Israel’s defence minister shared a statement of intent on social media.

“The warnings in Damascus have ended – now painful blows will come,” Israel Katz writes.

Katz says the Israeli military will “continue to operate forcefully” in Suweida, the area of southern Syria where Israel has recently intervened in clashes between the minority Druze community and other armed groups.

He then speaks directly to the Druze community in Israel, saying the Israel Defense Forces will protect the Syrian Druze population.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu and I, as Minister of Defence, have made a commitment – and we will uphold it,” he adds.

Katz also shared a video of a live TV news broadcast, showing a building in Damascus being hit by a strike and the on-air newsreader ducking for cover.