Residents report at least 10 killed in Israeli forces raid in southern Syria

DAMASCUS, Syria Israeli forces carried out a raid on the village of Beit Jin in southern Syria on Friday, opening fire after being confronted by local residents. Syrian media and officials reported that at least 10 people were killed, as Israel remains active on several fronts amid a fragile ceasefire in Gaza.

The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that Israeli troops entered Beit Jin intending to detain men suspected of militant activity. After villagers protested, heavy gunfire erupted, prompting dozens of families to flee the area.

Israel stated that the operation was based on intelligence regarding members of Jamaa Islamiya (Islamic Group) in Beit Jin, allegedly planning attacks on Israeli civilians. During the raid, several militants fired on Israeli forces, wounding six soldiers who were evacuated to hospitals. Israeli troops returned fire and received aerial support. The military confirmed that the operation ended with all suspects detained and several militants killed.

Since the fall of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024 during a rapid offensive by Islamist insurgents, Israel has maintained a wary stance toward Syrias new authorities. Israeli forces have taken control of a previously U.N.-monitored buffer zone in southern Syria established under the 1974 disengagement agreement. Hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military sites have been carried out, and Israel has advocated for a demilitarized zone south of Damascus. The two nations, which lack formal diplomatic relations, have reportedly discussed a potential security arrangement to reduce tensions.

Syrian officials condemned Israeli incursions as violations of national sovereignty but have not immediately commented on Fridays specific raid. Walid Okasha, a local official in Beit Jin, told The Associated Press that the victims were civilians, including a man who had celebrated his wedding the day before.

Earlier this year, in June, Israeli forces raided Beit Jin, capturing several individuals labeled as Hamas members, a claim disputed by locals, and killed a man whose family reported he had a history of schizophrenia.

Regional instability raises concerns that unrest in Syria could affect the tenuous ceasefire in Gaza. The fatalities in Beit Jin followed Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon on Thursday. Israel says its operations aim to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding after last years conflict ended in a ceasefire. According to the United Nations, at least 127 civilians, including children, have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon since the ceasefire.

Earlier this week, tensions escalated with a rare strike in Beirut, killing a senior Hezbollah official described by Israel as the groups chief of staff.

For additional coverage on the Israel-Hamas conflict, see AP News.

Author: Sophia Brooks