A live television broadcast was interrupted when Israeli airstrikes hit a Syrian state TV building in central Damascus late Wednesday. In a video that went viral, a news anchor was running off the screen as explosions struck the building.
The video posted by Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz on X, shortly after the attack said, "The painful blows have begun."
Israel confirmed it had launched a direct strike on the Syrian regime’s military headquarters in Damascus, blowing open the entrance gate of the defense compound.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike was in response to the Syrian regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria, particularly in Suweida, where local clashes have intensified following the collapse of a ceasefire.
The IDF said it is carrying out ongoing strikes near the Syrian Defense Ministry as part of efforts to disrupt regime convoys and prevent threats near Israel’s northern border. The military confirmed the operation is continuing "in accordance with directives from the political echelon" and that it remains on high alert as tensions along the border escalate.
In another post on X, Katz addressed the Druze community in Israel, stating that the IDF would protect them. "The warnings in Damascus have ended - now painful blows will come," he wrote.
“Our Druze brothers in Israel, you can rely on the Israel Defense Forces to protect your brothers in Syria. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I, as Minister of Defense, have made a commitment - and we will uphold it,” added Katz.
The video posted by Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz on X, shortly after the attack said, "The painful blows have begun."
החלו המכות הכואבות pic.twitter.com/1kJFFXoiua
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 16, 2025
Israel confirmed it had launched a direct strike on the Syrian regime’s military headquarters in Damascus, blowing open the entrance gate of the defense compound.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike was in response to the Syrian regime’s actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria, particularly in Suweida, where local clashes have intensified following the collapse of a ceasefire.
The IDF said it is carrying out ongoing strikes near the Syrian Defense Ministry as part of efforts to disrupt regime convoys and prevent threats near Israel’s northern border. The military confirmed the operation is continuing "in accordance with directives from the political echelon" and that it remains on high alert as tensions along the border escalate.
In another post on X, Katz addressed the Druze community in Israel, stating that the IDF would protect them. "The warnings in Damascus have ended - now painful blows will come," he wrote.
“Our Druze brothers in Israel, you can rely on the Israel Defense Forces to protect your brothers in Syria. Prime Minister Netanyahu and I, as Minister of Defense, have made a commitment - and we will uphold it,” added Katz.
נגמרו האיתותים בדמשק - כעת יבואו מכות כואבות.
— ישראל כ”ץ Israel Katz (@Israel_katz) July 16, 2025
צה"ל ימשיך לפעול בעוצמה בסווידא להשמדת הכוחות שתקפו את הדרוזים עד לנסיגתם מלאה.
אחינו הדרוזים בישראל, אתם יכולים לסמוך על צבא ההגנה לישראל שיגן על אחיכם בסוריה. רה"מ נתניהו ואני כשר הביטחון נטלנו התחייבות - ונעמוד בה.
You may also like
Emmerdale's Kim Tate 'secretly onto Dr Crowley' as death twist 'sealed'
Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh high court denies bail to accused in narco-terror case
MasterChef finalist who 'spent time with John Torode off-screen' breaks silence on axe
PGA Tour star banned from golf club after outburst and told to attend anger management
Ruthless Lionesses star aiming to knock one of her best friends out of Euros