Israeli Bombardment Kills Nine in Syria: Local Govt

The attack followed an Israeli incursion into the area, with Syrian officials claiming it was the first time Israeli forces had advanced so deeply into the region. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the victims were local gunmen who were attempting to confront Israeli forces after mosques in the area called for jihad against the Israeli advance.

The Israeli military said it was operating in the Tasil area, near Nawa, to seize weapons and destroy terrorist infrastructure when several gunmen opened fire. In response, Israeli forces eliminated the attackers both from the ground and air. No Israeli casualties were reported.

An Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson emphasized that Israel would not tolerate any military threats in Syria, vowing to take action against such threats.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has previously demanded the demilitarization of southern Syria, particularly rejecting the presence of Islamist-led forces near Israeli borders. In December, Netanyahu authorized Israeli troops to enter the UN-patrolled buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied and Syrian-controlled Golan Heights, a move that has sparked tensions.

Israel has also conducted numerous airstrikes in Syria since late last year, primarily targeting military sites and weapons systems. On Wednesday, Israeli forces carried out additional strikes across Syria, including in the Damascus area.