In a brazen move that threatens to ignite yet another war in the Middle East, Israel launched a surprise barrage of airstrikes on Damascus early Wednesday, marking a major escalation that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now insists the United States must bankroll.
The strikes, which hit the Ministry of Defense and areas near the presidential palace, mark the most intense Israeli assaults on a neighbouring country since they declared war on Iran three weeks ago.
At least three people were killed and 34 others wounded, according to Syrian state media. The attack came during a live television broadcast, with viewers witnessing the Ministry of Defense building explode in real-time—forcing the visibly shaken anchor to seek shelter mid-report.
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The footage, later shared by Israel’s Defense Minister, was framed as proof of what he called “the beginning of painful blows” against the remnants of Syria’s ruling apparatus.
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The strikes come amid growing regional volatility and increasing political pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has used the moment to call on Washington to finance what he described as a “new regional security framework” — a thinly veiled appeal for U.S. backing of a wider war effort.
In remarks to the Knesset, Netanyahu argued that American support is vital to “confront Iranian influence, stabilize the region, and support allies like Jordan and the Druze community.”
Critics, however, warn that the sudden push for U.S. military funding—at a time when public opinion in America is deeply divided on foreign interventions—could mark the beginning of a broader and potentially uncontrollable conflict.
The timing of Israel’s offensive is particularly sensitive. Damascus has been reeling from months of internal unrest following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024. Power struggles between former regime loyalists, Iranian-backed militias, and Druze self-defense groups have plunged much of the country into chaos.
In the southern city of Suwayda, fierce clashes between Druze fighters and government loyalists have further fractured Syria’s already fragile landscape. Israel has cited the need to protect the Druze minority—ethnically and religiously tied to communities within Israel—as justification for its increased involvement.
Yet analysts point to deeper strategic interests. “This is not just about the Druze,” said Lina Khoury, a Middle East policy expert at the Carnegie Endowment. “It’s about redefining regional power after the Assad regime’s fall, curbing Iranian influence, and ensuring Israel’s military dominance across its northern frontier.”
And for Washington, the question looms: Will the U.S. bankroll another war in the Middle East—or has the political appetite for such ventures finally run out?
