Israeli Military Operation in Southern Syria: Fatalities Reported in Beit Jin Village

Israeli Military Operation in Southern Syria Leads to Casualties

Israeli forces conducted an operation in the village of Beit Jin, southern Syria, on Friday. Syrian officials reported at least 10 fatalities, including women and children, as residents reportedly confronted the forces.

Syria's foreign ministry characterized the incident as a "massacre." The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Israeli forces entered Beit Jin with the objective of detaining local men and subsequently initiated heavy fire following protests from residents, leading to the displacement of dozens of families. Walid Okasha, a local official, stated that those killed were civilians, noting that one individual had recently celebrated a wedding.

The Israeli military stated that the operation was carried out based on intelligence indicating the presence of suspects from Jamaa Islamiya (Islamic Group) in Beit Jin who were allegedly planning attacks on Israeli civilians. According to the Israeli military, militants fired at Israeli troops during the operation, resulting in injuries to six soldiers who were subsequently hospitalized. Israeli forces responded with gunfire and aerial assistance. The military declared the operation concluded, reporting that all targeted suspects were apprehended and multiple militants were killed.

Israel has maintained a cautious stance regarding the new authorities in Syria since the fall of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024. Following this event, Israeli forces have taken control of a previously U.N.-patrolled buffer zone in southern Syria, established under a 1974 disengagement agreement. Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military installations and has advocated for a demilitarized zone south of Damascus. Despite lacking diplomatic relations, Syria and Israel are engaged in negotiations for a potential security agreement aimed at de-escalation. Syrian officials have consistently condemned Israeli incursions as violations of Syria's sovereignty. On Friday, the Syrian government appealed to the international community for urgent action to halt these incursions.

In a previous raid on Beit Jin in June, Israeli forces apprehended individuals identified by Israel as Hamas members; this characterization was disputed by residents. During that operation, a man whose family stated he had a history of schizophrenia was killed.

The fatalities in Syria occurred after a series of Israeli air force strikes in parts of southern Lebanon on Thursday. Israel has stated that its ongoing strikes in Lebanon are intended to prevent Hezbollah's rebuilding efforts following a conflict last year that concluded with a ceasefire. The United Nations reported on Tuesday that Israeli strikes in Lebanon have resulted in at least 127 civilian deaths, including children, since the ceasefire was established a year prior. Earlier this week, a strike in Beirut, Lebanon's capital, resulted in the death of a senior Hezbollah official, whom Israel identified as the group's chief of staff.

Ongoing conflicts throughout the region have raised concerns regarding potential spillover effects that could impact the fragile truce currently in place in Gaza.