At least 13 individuals have reportedly died in an Israeli military operation in Beit Jinn, a village in southern Syria, with state media indicating that children were among the casualties. This incident is noted as one of the most lethal in recent months. The Syrian news agency Sana claimed that residents confronted Israeli troops, leading to a firefight that involved air strikes.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the operation aimed to detain militants associated with alleged terror plots against Israeli civilians. Six Israeli soldiers sustained injuries during the clash, three of them seriously. The IDF specified that the operation targeted the Jamaa Islamiya militant group and reported that armed individuals fired upon its soldiers, prompting a response.
Sana further reported that the village was shelled and noted a building collapse during the operation. The IDF released footage showing two air strikes—one hitting a group of individuals and another targeting a building. Bodycam footage from the IDF depicted nighttime operations with visible gunfire.
According to reports from a local hospital cited by Sana, several bodies, including five from a single family, were received, and numerous injuries were recorded. The Syrian foreign ministry condemned the air strike as a “war crime,” alleging that more than ten civilians, including women and children, were killed, and called on the UN Security Council to address Israel’s actions.
Israel frequently conducts operations in Syrian territory, asserting these actions are necessary to counter the presence of armed groups. Since the change in leadership within Syria, Israel has increased military activities near the border, claiming concerns over the Syrian army’s positioning. The UN has labeled the IDF’s actions in the region as a violation of agreements designed to maintain peace following the 1973 war between Israel and Syria.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp89k31krz4o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss