Israeli forces conducted a military operation in a village in southern Syria, resulting in a confrontation with residents and the death of at least 13 people, according to Syrian officials. The incident occurred amidst ongoing conflicts in the region and a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry denounced the attack as a “horrific massacre,” noting that women and children were among the casualties. The Syrian state news agency reported that Israeli forces entered the village of Beit Jin with the intention of apprehending local men, but heavy gunfire ensued when residents confronted them, leading to the displacement of numerous families.
Israel stated that the operation targeted suspects from the Jamaa Islamiya militant group in Beit Jin who were allegedly planning attacks using improvised explosive devices and rockets against Israel. Following resistance from armed militants, Israeli troops responded with force, including air support. While Israel claimed that all suspects were detained and some militants were killed during the operation, no evidence was provided to support these claims.
A local official, Walid Okasha, asserted that the individuals killed were civilians, including a family consisting of a man, his wife, their children, and his brother, as well as another man who had recently married. Describing the situation as dire, he emphasized the civilian impact of the incident.
Resident Firas Daher recounted that the troops arrived in Beit Jin early in the morning and encountered minimal resistance with light weapons. In response, Israeli forces deployed drones, helicopters, and heavy machine gun fire, targeting any movement within the village. Attempts to transport injured individuals to the hospital were hindered by attacks on the vehicles.
Israeli forces have maintained control over a portion of southern Syria since the downfall of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, previously designated as a UN-monitored buffer zone under a 1974 agreement. Military operations within and beyond this zone, including raids to apprehend alleged militants, have been commonplace. Israel has also conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military installations and advocated for a demilitarized zone south of Damascus.
Previous Israeli raids in similar areas have encountered armed resistance from local residents. Instances include a deadly clash in Nawa, where airstrikes were carried out after a confrontation resulted in casualties, and a raid in Koayiah that led to fatalities. These actions have drawn criticism and are seen as contentious within the international community.
Syrian authorities have strongly criticized Israeli incursions as violations of national sovereignty, urging immediate intervention from the international community to halt such actions. Concerns persist that ongoing conflicts in the region could jeopardize the fragile truce in Gaza and escalate tensions further.
The United Nations reported that Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon have resulted in civilian casualties, including children, since a ceasefire was established a year ago. Recent strikes in southern Lebanon targeted Hezbollah to prevent the group from rebuilding after past hostilities. The UN condemned Israel’s actions as a severe breach of Syria’s sovereignty, exacerbating an already precarious situation.
Efforts to negotiate a security arrangement between Syrian and Israeli officials, facilitated by the U.S., have stalled since September. Despite several meetings, progress towards stabilizing the border region has been impeded by ongoing tensions and disagreements.