Wed Feb 26 08:47:44 UTC 2025: ## Israeli Air Strikes Target Southern Syria, Raising Tensions
**DAMASCUS, SYRIA –** Israel launched a series of air raids on Tuesday night targeting what it described as military bases and command centers in southern Syria and near Damascus. The strikes, which hit the town of Kisweh and the Deraa province, prompted condemnation from Syria and Hamas.
The Israeli military stated that its air force targeted “military targets, including command centers and multiple sites containing weapons,” citing a new policy to “pacify” southern Syria and prevent the establishment of military forces in the region. A spokesperson for Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized that Israel would not allow southern Syria to become a haven for hostile forces, echoing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent call for the demilitarization of the area.
The attacks followed Syria’s condemnation of a prior Israeli incursion into its southern territory and a demand for Israeli withdrawal. The timing, coinciding with a national dialogue summit aimed at outlining Syria’s political roadmap, has been criticized as further complicating efforts toward national reunification. Qutaiba Idlbi, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, warned that the strikes could embolden regional factions and delay negotiations.
Hamas strongly condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of Syrian sovereignty. Residents in Damascus reported hearing explosions and low-flying aircraft. The incident marks a significant escalation in tensions in the region and raises concerns about the stability of the Syrian peace process.
First Piper 