Syria Accuses Israel of Provoking Confrontation Amid Rising Tensions

In an interview with a Syrian news channel, Mustafa referred to a recent Israeli strike on Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside, which resulted in 13 fatalities. He characterized the attack as a "calculated escalation" intended to destabilize southern Syria. Mustafa noted that local residents resisted the Israeli forces during the incursion, resulting in injuries to six Israeli soldiers and the destruction of a military vehicle before the Israeli withdrawal.
The minister emphasized that Syria "is not a platform for threatening neighboring countries," but asserted that the nation would not hesitate to employ all available means to counter Israeli aggression. He indicated that Syria is in a phase of recovery and is focused on "restoring its capabilities and rising again."
Damascus has called on the United Nations Security Council to intervene and halt what it describes as systematic Israeli violations. Additionally, Syrian sources informed Al Jazeera that Israel is allegedly fabricating names of non-existent factions to justify its incursions into Syrian territory.
In response, the Israeli military stated that its operation in Beit Jinn is part of "Operation Shaul Bashan," initiated following the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime last December. The Israeli army claimed the operation targeted military sites posing a threat to its security, highlighting its control over strategic locations, including Mount Hermon and the surrounding buffer zone.
These incidents occur amid escalating regional tensions as the Syrian government seeks to redefine its position following years of internal conflict and military shifts along its southern borders.
