Israel Conducts Airstrikes in Damascus Amid Syrian Clashes**

Israel intensifies military action against Syria's government, citing threats from Iranian militias and local unrest, despite a claimed ceasefire.**

Israel launched a series of aerial attacks on Damascus yesterday, striking a compound used by the Syrian Defense Ministry and hitting regions near the presidential palace, according to reports from both Israeli military sources and Syrian authorities. The airstrikes followed a rise in violent skirmishes involving Syrian government forces in Sweida, an area significant for the Druse minority, which Israel has vowed to protect. As tensions escalated, Israel threatened to heighten its assaults if Syrian forces did not withdraw from Sweida.

Shortly after the missile strikes, Syrian officials announced a ceasefire agreement between local leaders in Sweida. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the United States had engaged with all involved parties to de-escalate the situation. However, Israeli strikes continued into the night, targeting military installations throughout Damascus.

Israel's motivations for its interventions in southern Syria typically stem from concerns about Iranian-backed militias and hostile Islamist factions potentially establishing a foothold near Israel’s borders. Additionally, protecting the welfare of its Druse population remains a critical concern for the Israeli government.