Syria's Islamist rulers on Friday denounced an air strike near the presidential palace as a "dangerous escalation", as Israel called it a "clear message" not to harm the Druze minority. Syria's presidency called the strike "a dangerous escalation against state institutions and its sovereignty",

Israel conducted an attack near the presidential palace in Damascus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced. He also reiterated the promise that Israel will protect the Druze community in Syria.

“Israel struck last night near the presidential palace in Damascus,” Netanyahu said in a joint statement with Defense Minister Israel Katz. “This is a clear message to the Syrian regime: We will not allow [Syrian] forces to deploy south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.”