Israel Bombs Syrian Presidential Palace in Warning to New Regime Over Druze Clashes
Israeli Defense Minister says airstrike near Damascus palace was a direct message to Syria's new president, citing recent violence against Druze civilians in southern Syria.
Watan-Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz stated that the airstrike on the Syrian presidential palace in Damascus early Friday morning was a direct warning message to the Syrian president, in response to what he described as “attacks against the Druze community” in the south of the country.
In remarks reported by the Hebrew-language site Ynet, Katz explained:“The strike carried out by the Air Force last night on the presidential palace in Damascus was ordered jointly by me and the Prime Minister. It serves as a clear warning to the Syrian regime.”
He added:“When al-Joulani wakes up in the morning and sees the results of the strike, he will understand clearly that Israel is determined to prevent any harm to the Druze in Syria.”
Katz said that protecting Druze communities in Syria reflects Israel’s commitment to its own Druze population, whom he described as loyal citizens with significant contributions to national security.
In a direct reference to Syria’s new president, Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa, Katz used his former alias “al-Joulani”, alluding to his past as leader of Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, before seizing power after toppling Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
#عاجل 🔴 أغارت طائرات حربية قبل قليل على المنطقة المجاورة لقصر أحمد حسين الشرع في دمشق
— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) May 2, 2025
The Israeli military confirmed the strike on the area surrounding the presidential palace. Spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated:“Israeli warplanes struck near the residence of Ahmad Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus just moments ago.”
A joint statement from the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office and the Defense Ministry declared:“Israel carried out a strike near the Syrian presidential palace—a clear message to the Syrian regime: We will not allow any forces to approach southern Damascus or threaten the Druze population.”
The Israeli strike follows days of intense clashes in the Damascus suburbs of Jaramana and Sahnaya, and Druze towns in Sweida province, where Israel claims militias linked to the Syrian regime targeted Druze civilians.
