DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — On Friday, Israeli forces conducted a raid in the Syrian village of Beit Jin, resulting in the deaths of at least 13 people, according to Syrian officials. This marked the deadliest Israeli operation since Israeli troops seized a portion of southern Syria a year prior.
Syria's Foreign Ministry condemned the incident as a "horrific massacre," highlighting that women and children were among those killed. The Syrian state news agency, SANA, reported that Israeli troops entered Beit Jin with the intention of apprehending local men. In response to being confronted by residents, the Israeli forces opened heavy fire, prompting many families to flee the area.
Israel, in a statement, claimed that the operation targeted suspects linked to the Jamaa Islamiya militant group, who were allegedly plotting IED and rocket attacks against Israel. The statement noted that armed militants had fired upon Israeli troops, injuring six, which led to a retaliatory response including air support. Israel asserted that the operation concluded with all suspects apprehended and several militants killed.
Local official Walid Okasha indicated to the Associated Press that those killed were civilians. Among the deceased were a man, his wife, their two children, and his brother, with one victim reported to have gotten married just the day before. Witness Firas Daher recounted that Israeli troops moved into the village around 3 a.m. and encountered only "slight resistance" with light weapons. He described the Israeli response as overwhelming, involving drones, helicopters, and heavy machine gun fire. He noted that any movement, including cars transporting the injured, was met with gunfire from Israeli forces.
Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israeli forces have maintained control over a portion of southern Syria that was previously a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone, established under a 1974 disengagement agreement. Israeli troops have routinely executed operations in this region, often targeting individuals they suspect of militant activities. This has included hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military positions, with Israel advocating for a demilitarized zone south of Damascus.
Israeli raids have previously met armed resistance from local residents. For instance, in April, an Israeli operation in the town of Nawa led to airstrikes killing nine individuals after being confronted by residents. A similar incident in March resulted in the deaths of six people during a raid in the village of Koayiah. In June, a prior raid in Beit Jin resulted in the capture of several individuals allegedly linked to Hamas, a claim contested by local residents.
Israel claims that its actions in the 400-square-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone are a pre-emptive measure designed to thwart militant movements into the area following the upheaval that led to Assad’s ousting. Critics, however, argue that Israel is exploiting Syria's instability for territorial gain. Israel currently retains control over the Golan Heights, which was captured during the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed, a move not recognized by most of the international community.
Syrian officials have repeatedly characterized the Israeli incursions as violations of their sovereignty. Following the recent raid, the Syrian government has called upon the international community to take "urgent action" to cease these incursions. Israel's views towards Syria's current government, led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, have been marked by suspicion, and despite the absence of diplomatic relations, negotiations for a potential security agreement to reduce tensions continue.
The fatalities in Syria occurred shortly after a series of strikes carried out by Israel's air force in southern Lebanon on Thursday, aimed at hindering Hezbollah's rehabilitation efforts following a destructive conflict that concluded with a ceasefire last year. Recent reports from the United Nations indicated that Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon since the ceasefire had resulted in the deaths of at least 127 civilians, including children.
