NIGERIAN MILITARY JET CRASHES IN NIGER. (PHOTO).
Israeli forces carried out a raid in a southern Syrian village on Friday, killing at least 13 people after being confronted by residents, Syrian officials said. The Syrian government described the attack as a “horrific massacre,” reporting that women and children were among those killed. The raid took place in the village of Beit Jin, where Israeli troops reportedly aimed to detain local men but opened heavy fire after encountering resistance from residents. Dozens of families reportedly fled the area during the operation.
Israel said the raid targeted members of Jamaa Islamiya, or Islamic Group, suspected of planning attacks on Israeli civilians. Israeli forces said several militants fired at troops, injuring about six soldiers who were evacuated to a hospital. The military said its forces responded with ground and aerial support, killing a number of militants and apprehending suspects. The operation concluded with all suspects reportedly in custody.
Since the fall of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes on Syrian military sites and seized areas previously monitored under a 1974 disengagement agreement. Syrian officials condemned the raid as a violation of their sovereignty and called on the international community to intervene. Locals in Beit Jin described the situation as dire, with one official noting that one of the victims had celebrated a wedding the day before. Previous Israeli raids in the village have also sparked civilian casualties, including a man with a mental health condition.
The latest raid comes amid ongoing regional tensions, including Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon aimed at Hezbollah. Analysts warn that continued unrest in Syria and Lebanon could threaten the fragile ceasefire in Gaza. The United Nations has previously reported that Israeli strikes in Lebanon since last year’s ceasefire have killed at least 127 civilians, including children, and recent attacks in Beirut killed a senior Hezbollah official.
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