ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syrian villagers described scenes of chaos and destruction after an overnight Israeli raid in Rif Dimashq province.
"It was around 3-4 o'clock late at night [early Friday]. We saw planes coming and heard the sound of bullets, sounds of chaos everywhere. My wife, my child and I were sleeping at home,” Ghazwan Mohammed Hamadi told Rudaw on Friday. The resident of Beit Jinn village said his house was destroyed and two of his children were injured.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) carried out an early morning operation in the village, claiming to apprehend terror suspects, members of al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya.
“During the activity, several armed terrorists opened fire at the troops. IDF soldiers responded with live fire, supported by aerial assistance,” the IDF stated. “The operation concluded with all suspects apprehended and several terrorists eliminated.”
Six Israeli soldiers were injured.
At least 13 people were killed, according to Syria’s health ministry.
"Thirteen people were martyred, about 20 injured were transferred to both Muwassat and Joulani hospitals,” said ministry staff member Ziyad Mohammed Abu Hamda.
Two children were among the dead, Syrian state media reported.
“Planes, drones, artillery, missiles… I don’t know. We saw this area suddenly surrounded. I don’t know why… They took three people but we don’t know why. They entered their homes and took them,” said another villager, Mohammed Hamadi.
"Their excuse was that Hamas and Hezbollah were here, but there's no one here,” another resident said.
Dozens of families have fled the village, according to state-run al-Ikhbariya TV.
Israel carries out regular operations inside Syria. Following the collapse of the former Syrian regime last December, Tel Aviv has intensified efforts to destroy Damascus’s military assets, repeatedly entering buffer zones east of the Israel-annexed Golan Heights. Israel has occupied at least 10 positions inside Syrian territory, according to the UN.
Since the start of 2025, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has documented more than 40 Israeli attacks in Syria, destroying around 50 sites, including weapons depots, headquarters, command centers, and vehicles.
In early November, Syria urged the UN Security Council to halt Israeli “attacks and incursions” into its territory. At a Security Council meeting in August, members called on all sides to abide by the 1974 disengagement agreement establishing a buffer zone between the two countries.