Beit Jinn: An Israeli military raid in the southern Syrian village of Beit Jinn overnight has resulted in the death of at least one civilian and the abduction of seven others, according to Syria’s Interior Ministry. The operation, carried out by Israel’s Alexandroni Brigade, reportedly targeted alleged Hamas operatives accused of planning attacks on Israeli forces stationed near the border.
The Syrian government condemned the raid as a “blatant violation of sovereignty,” warning that “such provocations cannot bring stability but only lead to more turmoil.” The man who was killed, according to reports, was described by his family as mentally disabled and was shot after trying to intervene.
Israel confirmed the operation, claiming those arrested were involved in “multiple terror plots” and were found with weapons and ammunition. The detainees have since been transferred to Israel for interrogation.
This marks the latest in a string of Israeli strikes inside Syria, intensifying after the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December and the rise of President Ahmed al-Sharaa. While initial Israeli military activity slowed following the U.S. decision to lift some sanctions on Syria in mid-May, attacks resumed sharply after two rockets were fired from Syria into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no casualties.
In response, Israel launched multiple retaliatory strikes. Defence Minister Israel Katz held President al-Sharaa “directly responsible” for the rocket launches, despite the Syrian leader’s stated desire to avoid regional conflict.
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has appealed for international intervention to halt the incursions. Communications from Damascus assert that Israel’s continuous military actions in Syrian territory are designed to provoke a broader conflict and undermine the stability of the newly formed government.
In parallel diplomacy, U.S. special envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack proposed a “non-aggression agreement” to encourage de-escalation between Syria and Israel. Axios reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed interest in potential security negotiations with the new Syrian administration—an unexpected signal amidst rising cross-border hostility.
This raid follows another Israeli strike earlier this week in the Deraa region, as well as intensified Israeli military operations in Gaza and a confirmed major strike on Iranian nuclear and military facilities. With regional tensions sharply escalating—particularly in light of Iranian drone attacks and retaliatory Israeli strikes—the risk of wider confrontation across the Middle East continues to mount.
