Israeli defence minister says strikes underway in Lebanon are 'clear message' to Hezbollah
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Indian Express
14 minutes ago
- Indian Express
Israel targets site near Syria's defense ministry in Damascus amid army-militia clashes in south
Fierce fighting erupted again in the southern Syrian city of Sweida on Wednesday after a fragile ceasefire between government forces and local Druze militias collapsed, the Associated Press reported. The escalation came as Israel signalled its intention to intensify involvement in the conflict, saying it aimed to protect the Druze religious minority in the region. According to the Israeli military, its forces carried out airstrikes targeting an area near the entrance to Syria's Ministry of Defense in Damascus. These strikes are part of a series of Israeli operations against government convoys in southern Syria following the eruption of clashes earlier this week. Israeli troop presence has also been reinforced along the border with Syria. Syria's Defense Ministry blamed the renewed hostilities on militias in Sweida, accusing them of violating the ceasefire agreed upon on Tuesday. In response, Syrian army units resumed operations inside the city. 'Military forces continue to respond to the source of fire inside the city of Sweida, while adhering to rules of engagement to protect residents, prevent harm, and ensure the safe return of those who left the city back to their homes,' the ministry said in a statement quoted by AP.
Time of India
37 minutes ago
- Time of India
'Terrorist act': US Ambassador Mike Huckabee condemns killing of Palestinian-American by Israelis; urges accountability
Sayfollah "Saif" Musallet, Palestinian-American killed by Israeli settlers US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee has condemned the 'criminal and terrorist act" of killing a Palestinian-American in the West Bank and called for a thorough investigation and full accountability after Israeli settlers beat the young man to death. Sayfollah "Saif" Musallet, a 20-year-old American citizen from Florida, was killed on Friday in the town of Sinjil, north of Ramallah, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. A second man was also killed by gunfire during the same incident, ABC News reported. Musallet's family said he was trying to defend their land from Israeli settlers who surrounded him for over three hours and blocked an ambulance from reaching him. He died before he could be taken to a hospital. "I have asked Israel to aggressively investigate the murder of Saif Mussallet, an American citizen who was visiting family in Sinjil when he was beaten to death," Huckabee said in a post on X. — GovMikeHuckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) "There must be accountability for this criminal and terrorist act. Saif was just 20 yrs old," he added. Musallet had arrived in the West Bank on June 4 and was spending the summer in an area known for hosting members of the Palestinian diaspora from North America. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like A Pair of Reading Glasses That Can Look Far and near,Auto Focus,Smart Zoom SOLYMALL Shop Now Undo He was born and raised in Florida, lived in Tampa, and owned a small business there. His family described him as 'a kind, hard-working, and deeply respected young man' known for his generosity, ambition, and strong connection to his Palestinian heritage. 'This is an unimaginable nightmare and injustice that no family should ever have to face,' his family said in a statement demanding justice for his death. He is the fifth American killed in the West Bank since the start of the Israel–Hamas war on October 7, 2023, according to AFP. Violence by extremist settlers in the West Bank has sharply increased in parallel with Israel's ongoing offensive in Gaza. The US government initially responded quietly to the killing, but public pressure has grown. Hakeem Jeffries, the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, also called for action. "The Trump administration cannot continue to turn a blind eye to what is happening in the West Bank if it is truly committed to finding a just and lasting peace between Israel and the Palestinian people," said Jeffries in a statement as quoted by AFP. Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and longtime supporter of Israeli settlements, has previously rejected the notion that Israel occupies the West Bank, referring to the area by its biblical name, 'Judea and Samaria."
Time of India
41 minutes ago
- Time of India
Israel strikes Syria's military HQ in Damascus; civilian toll crosses 250 in Sweida amid escalating tensions — top developments
Image used for representative purposes Israel launched a direct strike on the Syrian regime's military headquarters in Damascus late Wednesday, blowing open the entrance gate of the defense compound in a rare and high-profile escalation. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the strike was carried out in response to the Syrian regime's actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria, where fighting has intensified following the collapse of a local ceasefire. The IDF confirmed it is conducting ongoing strikes in the area 'in accordance with directives from the political echelon' and said it remains on alert as tensions continue to rise along the northern frontier. Israeli military action in Damascus The Israeli army stated that the strike targeted military infrastructure near the Syrian Defense Ministry, part of a broader campaign to disrupt regime convoys and deter threats near Israel's northern border. Tel Aviv said the airstrike was aimed at 'protecting the Druze population' amid the resurgence of fighting in Sweida province. "A short while ago, the IDF struck the entrance gate of the Syrian regime's military headquarters compound in the Damascus area of Syria," said the Israeli War Room. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Live Update: The Strategy Uses By Successful Intraday Trader TradeWise Learn More Undo "In accordance with directives from the political echelon, the IDF is carrying out strikes in the area and remains prepared for various scenarios," it added. Other reports from the Associated Press claimed that Israel struck near Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus. This follows multiple Israeli air operations recently, as tensions rise over alleged involvement of Islamist militants in the region and fears of spillover into Israeli territory. Ceasefire collapse sparks renewed clashes in Sweida In Sweida, a fragile ceasefire between Syrian government forces and local Druze militias broke down, triggering intense street battles and renewed shelling. Syria's Defense Ministry accused armed factions of breaching the truce and announced the resumption of military operations to "restore stability" and ensure civilian safety. The breakdown of peace efforts has raised alarms about the risk of prolonged sectarian conflict, particularly in a province that had previously remained relatively insulated from much of the civil war. Background: Syria's new leadership faces growing unrest The flare-up follows the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in a surprise rebel offensive last December, which effectively ended a nearly 14-year civil war. A new Sunni-majority leadership now governs Syria but faces persistent resistance from minority groups and former regime loyalists. The Druze community, a religious minority with deep roots in southern Syria, has emerged as a flashpoint in the country's fragile post-war landscape. Internal divisions have surfaced over their future under the new regime, with some pushing for autonomy. Casualties mount as violence spreads What began as tit-for-tat abductions between Sunni Bedouin tribes and Druze factions has spiraled into a wider conflict. Security forces have reportedly engaged in extrajudicial killings and widespread looting, with several homes torched in retaliatory raids. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported over 250 fatalities so far, including 21 individuals allegedly executed in the field. Both government troops and armed militias have been accused of committing abuses against civilians, as reported by AP. Israel vows continued strikes unless Syrian forces withdraw Israel has hardened its stance against the new Syrian regime, citing the presence of hostile Islamist groups near its border. Defense Minister Israel Katz earlier declared that Israeli forces would sustain airstrikes "until regime troops are removed from the area." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reinforced Israel's strategic objective of maintaining a demilitarized buffer zone, reiterating the state's commitment to defending the Druze population in Syria. Druze remain caught in the crossfire The Druze, an esoteric religious sect with communities across Syria, Lebanon, and Israel, are increasingly divided over how to navigate the shifting political dynamics. While some support integration under the new government, others advocate for a self-governed Druze region. The escalating violence in Sweida has exposed those divisions and placed the Druze at the center of a volatile regional equation, with major implications for Syrian sovereignty and Israeli security.
