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Damascus strikes and TV panic
On July 16, 2025, Israeli forces carried out air and drone strikes on central Damascus, striking the Syrian military headquarters and nearby targets.
“Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted a video on Wednesday (July 16, 2025) showing Israeli strikes on Syrian military targets in Damascus that forced a TV anchor to abandon her bulletin and run from the studio.”
The strikes prompted dramatic scenes on live television as a presenter abandoned her bulletin and fled the studio.
News18 reported Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz posted a video of the strikes showing an anchor forced to abandon her bulletin and run from the studio, while NDTV published footage of anchors and reporters reacting in panic and running for safety as deafening explosions erupted.
Al Jazeera said the strikes hit the Syrian military headquarters and cited Syrian state media reporting casualties, and Deadline noted Syria TV posted a clip of presenter Dima Abodan fleeing a live broadcast.
Israeli rationale for strikes
Israeli officials framed the strikes as a defensive response aimed at protecting the Druze minority and preventing Syrian government forces from operating near Israel's border.
News18 and Moneycontrol quoted Israel's defence minister Israel Katz reposting the footage with warnings — News18 said Katz captioned the clip "The painful blows have begun," while Moneycontrol quoted Katz saying "the phase of giving warnings in Damascus is over" and vowing "painful blows."
Sky News Australia and The US Sun reported Israeli explanations that the strikes were intended to defend Druze communities around Suweida and to deter Syrian forces from the Golan Heights frontier.
Suweida violence and strikes
The strikes occurred against the backdrop of intense sectarian fighting in Suweida province between Druze communities and Bedouin factions, and a collapsed ceasefire that has caused heavy casualties and allegations of atrocities.
“A ceasefire declared on Tuesday collapsed within hours, and continued Israeli military strikes have heightened fears of further bloodshed and displacement.”
The Independent detailed eyewitness reports from Suwayda of humiliations, desecrations and alleged summary executions, noting the Syrian Observatory reported at least 27 summary executions, while the BBC reported that the UK-based SOHR said "more than 1,100 people have been killed in Suweida within a week."
Moneycontrol and Sky News Australia put lower but still large figures and stressed the violence as the trigger for Israeli concern and action.
Damascus airstrike reports
Reports describe powerful airstrikes, low-flying warplanes, and visible smoke around Damascus's defence ministry and military complex, with varying accounts of specific targets and injuries.
News18 said 'powerful airstrikes and low-flying warplanes struck central Damascus, sending thick smoke from the defence ministry.'
Al Jazeera's correspondent reported strikes 'one after another' and panic from planes overhead.
Sky News Australia cited officers sheltering in basements and two civilians wounded.
Moneycontrol and NDTV said strikes hit near the presidential palace and the military headquarters' entrance, and state TV reported its building had been hit.
Diplomatic and security fallout
The strikes have immediate diplomatic and security implications.
“A new wave of deadly sectarian fighting has erupted in southern Syria’s Suweida province, underscoring the country’s fragile security as the new government tries to assert control.”
Damascus condemned the attack and a Syrian leader warned it would hinder any short-term progress on normalising ties with Israel.
Analysts and some outlets framed Israel’s actions as part of a pattern aimed at keeping hostile forces away from the Golan Heights.
The BBC described the violence and strikes as underscoring the country’s fragile security.
Sky News Australia said any short-term prospect of normalising ties with Israel now appears unlikely.
Moneycontrol and The US Sun highlighted Israeli strategic motives tied to border security and preventing militant groups from operating near Israel.