Israeli forces stormed the Syrian village of Beit Zin, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people, including women and children, in what Syria’s Foreign Ministry called a “horrible massacre.” The operation, aimed at arresting members of the militant group Jamaah Islamiyah, faced resistance from locals, leading Israeli troops to open heavy fire and call for air support. Eyewitness accounts described the violence and the targeting of civilians attempting to evacuate the injured.
Israel has increased operations in southern Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, conducting regular raids and airstrikes under the pretext of preventing militant attacks. The Syrian government condemned the latest invasion as a violation of sovereignty and appealed to the international community for intervention. Tensions also remain high between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon, with recent airstrikes aimed at curbing Hezbollah’s military capabilities since a ceasefire concluded last year. The deaths in Syria come amid increasing Israeli military actions in the region, with significant civilian casualties reported in Lebanon.
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