"Al-Julani, bomb Tel Aviv!" as Israeli strikes kill 6 in Syria & Lebanon

Following a series of reports of Israeli attacks on several targets, Defense Minister Yisrael Katz confirmed on Tuesday that "the air force has attacked with force in southern Syria as part of the new policy we have defined of the demilitarization of southern Syria...The message is clear: We will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon. We will not endanger the security of our citizens." It was later reported that at least two people were killed in the attack.

Katz also stressed that "any attempt by the Syrian regime forces and the terrorist organizations in the country to establish themselves in the security zone in southern Syria will be met with fire."

Later, the IDF Spokesperson also reported that "attacks were carried out against military targets, including headquarters and sites, containing weapons." According to him, "The presence of military means and forces in the southern part of Syria is a threat to the citizens of the State of Israel. The IDF will continue to act in order to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel."

In Syria, the attacks were reported, including in Al-Kiswa, south of Damascus. The Saudi channel Al-Hadath reported that "planes – apparently Israeli – carried out four attacks on military posts in the Al-Kiswah area." The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights also reported that Israel carried out "a series of attacks against military sites in the rural area of Damascus," and later reported at least four deaths.

Another report in Syria said that another attack took place in the area of the village of Ezra, in the rural area of Daraa. The Hezbollah-affiliated Al-Mayadeen network reported that an old Syrian army base had been attacked in the area. At the same time, it was reported that IDF forces entered the village of Ein al-Beida in the northern area of Quneitra. Later, the Qatari newspaper Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed reported that Israeli tanks had also reached the area of the village of Tasil.

Al-Mayadeen also noted that the overnight attacks were the most significant since Ahmed al-Shara (al-Julani) took office as president of Syria. It was claimed that Israel "penetrated the communications network before the attacks," and that it was "expanding into southern Syria in order to completely control the area." After the attacks, demonstrations were held in Damascus and Homs against "Israeli activity in southern Syria and the attempts at partition," during which the protesters chanted "Ya Julani, ya Habib, bomb Tel Aviv."