At least 13 Syrian citizens, including two children, were killed early Friday after Israeli forces launched a ground incursion into the town of Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside, opening heavy fire on civilians and arresting several residents.

The attack, which began around 3:40 a.m. with artillery shelling, saw an Israeli military force enter the town. Violent clashes erupted as local residents attempted to confront the invading troops. Israeli drones continued to patrol the airspace following the operation, and warplanes were reported to have released incendiary balloons over the area, prompting many families to flee to nearby towns for safety.

The Syrian Republic has strongly condemned the infiltration, which it states represents a "clear violation of international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, including the 1974 Disengagement Agreement".

In an official statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates accused Israel of a "blatant violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Syrian Arab Republic" and labeled the escalation a "direct threat to regional peace and security". The ministry affirmed that such provocative actions hinder efforts to achieve stability and reconstruction in the country.

This incident is part of a distressing pattern. A similar Israeli ground raid in Beit Jinn in June 2025 resulted in the death of a young man and the abduction of several civilians. On that occasion, Syrian authorities stated that the victim suffered from a mental disability and was shot when he tried to intervene.

The attack on Beit Jinn occurs amidst a significant escalation of Israeli operations inside Syrian territory, which have intensified since the fall of the former al-Assad regime in December 2024.

Shifting Tactics: Military analysts observe a shift in Israeli operations beyond targeting weapon depots. Dr. Samer al-Tawil, a Syrian military analyst, told The Media Line that Israel is now "striking field units during routine missions — even rescue operations." He believes the "clear objective is to exhaust and gradually wear down the Syrian army".

Negotiations Under Fire: This escalation comes despite reports of behind-the-scenes progress on a potential security deal between the new Syrian leadership and Israel, mediated by the United States and other parties. Israel appears to be employing a tactic of "negotiations under fire" to impose its conditions, simultaneously discussing peace while escalating military pressure.

Damascus has repeatedly called upon the international community, particularly the United Nations Security Council, to assume its responsibilities.

Call for UN Action: Syria has urged the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) to take "urgent and effective measures" to deter Israeli aggression and ensure accountability under international law.

Diplomatic Efforts: Recent reports have indicated progress on a potential security arrangement that would reactivate the 1974 disengagement lines and demilitarize the Syrian Golan. However, continued Israeli incursions and airstrikes on the ground have severely undermined the trust necessary for such a deal to succeed.

The deadly incursion into Beit Jinn is a stark reminder of the ongoing violations faced by Syrians and the continued challenges to the country's sovereignty. As the Syrian government condemns these acts and calls for international intervention, the people of Beit Jinn are left to mourn their dead and care for their wounded, their lives once again disrupted by the scourge of war.

The international community's failure to curb these repeated attacks not only emboldens further aggression but also threatens to destabilize the fragile political and security situation in Syria and the wider region. (ILKHA)