Israeli airborne forces raid site near Damascus

Israeli forces have reportedly launched an airborne raid near the Syrian capital following a series of airstrikes, according to Syrian state media. While Israel has not officially confirmed the operation, Defense Minister Israel Katz hinted at wide-ranging military activity, saying Israeli forces act “in all combat zones” to safeguard national security.

If verified, this would represent the deepest Israeli incursion into Syrian territory since an Islamist coalition took power in Damascus last December, highlighting the shifting dynamics of the conflict.

Details of the Airstrikes and Raid

On Tuesday, Israeli warplanes struck a location near Kisweh, just outside Damascus, killing six Syrian soldiers, according to Syria’s foreign ministry. The same site was targeted again on Wednesday, Syrian state television reported.

The state news agency SANA, citing a government source, said Syrian troops had discovered “surveillance and eavesdropping devices” in the area shortly before the first strike. An official from the Syrian defense ministry, speaking anonymously to AFP, identified the target as a former military base in Tal Maneh, near Kisweh.

Following the second round of strikes, SANA claimed that Israeli forces conducted an airborne raid in the area. The report added that reconnaissance flights were still ongoing, though the details of the ground operation remain unclear.

Possible Links to Hezbollah

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that the facility was being used to store weapons linked to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militia and long-time ally of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad. The group has remained a central player in the conflict despite Assad’s removal from power late last year.

If confirmed, this would mark the first raid of its kind since Assad’s ouster, signaling Israel’s intent to expand its campaign against Hezbollah and Iranian-backed elements inside Syria.

Israel’s Position and Regional Context

On Thursday, Defense Minister Katz posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Israeli forces “are operating in all combat zones day and night for the security of Israel,” without directly addressing the reported raid. The Israeli military, when contacted, declined to comment.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, targeting Iranian-backed groups and Hezbollah positions. Since Assad’s downfall, Israel has also moved into parts of the demilitarized buffer zone once monitored by the United Nations along the armistice line between Israel and Syria.

At the same time, Israel has opened dialogue with Syria’s interim authorities, suggesting a dual strategy of military pressure and diplomatic engagement as it navigates a post-Assad Syria.

What This Means Going Forward

The reported raid underscores Israel’s determination to prevent Hezbollah and other militant groups from consolidating power near its borders. It also signals a new phase of Israel’s involvement in Syria—one that could involve deeper ground operations alongside ongoing air campaigns.

For Damascus’ new leadership, the strikes and raids highlight the fragility of the current balance of power. With foreign militaries and local militias vying for influence, the situation remains volatile, raising questions about how long-term stability can be achieved in a post-Assad Syria.