The Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducted widespread airstrikes across Syria on Sunday, targeting critical military sites and weaponry deemed a direct threat to Israel’s security.
Israel claimed that these strategic strikes aimed to neutralize the potential transfer of advanced weaponry into the hands of terrorist factions and hostile entities.
According to reports from The Times of Israel, the Israeli strikes hit ammunition and weapons depots at the Khalkhalah airbase in Suwayda, military positions in the Daraa Governorate, and the Mezzeh airbase in Damascus.
Later in the day, additional strikes targeted the Mezzeh airbase—a hub of Syria’s security infrastructure located in the Kafr Sousa suburb of Damascus—along with the Scientific Studies and Research Center, suspected of facilitating weapons development, and a central square in Damascus housing intelligence and customs offices.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly have been tracking advanced weapon transfers in Syria, working to prevent these arms from reaching Hezbollah or other hostile entities that could pose a direct danger to Israel.
WATCH:
Israel are today bombing Syria…
• The main research centre in Damascus.
• The customs headquarters.
• The military intelligence HQ.
• A security complex in Damascus
The passport centre.— Tory Fibs (@ToryFibs) December 8, 2024
Images and video from Quds News Network:
Fires broke out due to Israeli occupation aircraft targeting the intelligence and customs buildings in the Syrian capital, Damascus. pic.twitter.com/oedPuUjyHY
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 8, 2024
Footage documents the moment of Israeli airstrikes that targeted the Mazza area in the Syrian capital, Damascus, earlier today. pic.twitter.com/IQuefSZAtQ
— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) December 8, 2024
The strikes come in the wake of the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Rebel forces, led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani—formerly a commander of Al-Qaeda and now the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—have reportedly entered Damascus with minimal resistance.
The IDF has also reinforced its presence in the buffer zone between Israel and Syria, deploying troops to key strategic positions to prevent the infiltration of hostile forces.
The IDF clarified that its deployment to the buffer zone is defensive and temporary, aimed solely at protecting Israel from potential attacks amid Syria’s instability. With vast stockpiles of weapons now unsecured in the region, Israel’s proactive measures are designed to ensure its borders remain safe while avoiding unnecessary entanglement in Syria’s internal chaos.
“We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians, and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel,” Netanyahu said in a video statement at the Syrian border:
WATCH:
Netanyahu on the Syrian border after the collapse of the Assad regime: “We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians, and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel.” pic.twitter.com/tzJ7lyzhJo
— Israel National News – Arutz Sheva (@ArutzSheva_En) December 8, 2024
