Israel carried out a series of airstrikes across Syria overnight, targeting military assets and air defenses near Damascus, Hama, and Homs, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
The strikes, which reportedly began Saturday night and lasted for eight hours, were part of an ongoing campaign aimed at preventing military assets from falling into the hands of extremist groups amid Syria's post-Assad transition.
The SOHR, a Britain-based monitoring group, reported that 75 targets were hit in the latest operation. This comes after Israel has conducted over 450 strikes in Syria since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last week. These attacks have destroyed military infrastructure, including airbases, ammunition depots, and naval assets.
The latest Israeli strikes also targeted assets associated with the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center. According to SOHR, roads, power grids, and water infrastructure in Quneitra were also damaged. Medics reported that at least 15 Palestinians were killed in a separate airstrike on a shelter in Gaza’s Khan Younis.
Israel's December 15 strike in Syria's Tartus region targeted weapons depots and air defenses, causing blasts akin to a 3.0 magnitude earthquake. A 3.1 quake was reported at 11:49 p.m., 28 km off Banias at a depth of 32 km, but Israeli media said its link to the explosions is unclear.
Israeli military forces have also seized territory along the de facto border, including strategic positions on Mt. Hermon. Israel has not provided a timeline for withdrawal, stating that it will remain until its security concerns are addressed. Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Israel’s military chief of staff, emphasized that the incursions are necessary to secure Israeli borders and prevent extremist groups from establishing footholds near the frontier.
“There was an enemy state here, and its army has collapsed. We are acting to ensure extremist terrorists do not establish themselves near our borders,” Halevi said during a visit to the Golan Heights on Friday.
Syrian and International Responses
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also reaffirmed that Israel’s actions are defensive, aimed at neutralizing potential threats from the chaotic situation in Syria. However, the international community has expressed concerns over these operations, with Saudi Arabia, France, and Germany calling for Israel’s withdrawal from Syrian territory and respect for Syria’s sovereignty.
The new Syrian leadership, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has criticized Israel’s actions. Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known by his nom de guerre, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, stated that Israel’s justifications for its attacks lack credibility.
“Israel’s arguments for these violations are weak and risk unnecessary escalation,” al-Golani was quoted as saying by reports.
Golani emphasized that Syria is not in a position for new conflict. He warned of an unjustified escalation, citing Syria's exhaustion from years of war. “The priority at this stage is reconstruction and stability,” he added. He also pledged to disband all factions, asserting that no weapons will remain outside the state's authority.
HTS, which has its roots in extremist movements, has been working to establish a technocratic administration in Damascus. This shift has prompted discussions among Western countries about potentially lifting the group’s terrorist designation. Meanwhile, sectarian tensions remain a challenge for the new government, which has pledged to ensure minority rights.
The situation in Syria has drawn the attention of global and regional powers. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, speaking in Jordan, acknowledged the risks posed by Syria’s instability and emphasized the need for regional consensus on Syria’s future. The U.S. has reportedly initiated contacts with HTS to convey expectations regarding governance and human rights during the transitional period.
Russia, a long-standing ally of the Assad regime, is also maneuvering to maintain its presence in Syria. Convoys of Russian military vehicles have been observed relocating assets, although Moscow has not announced plans to withdraw. Turkey has similarly expressed interest in supporting Syria’s transition while maintaining its influence in the region.
The United Nations has condemned Israel’s actions, citing violations of the 1974 disengagement agreement. UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed concern over the extensive breaches of Syria’s sovereignty and called for Israel’s withdrawal from the buffer zone.