Israeli strike interrupts Syria TV live broadcast
· RTE.ieDuring a live broadcast, a Syria TV news anchor was abruptly interrupted as an Israeli strike hit the ministry of defence in Damascus yesterday afternoon.
Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus, damaging the defence ministry and hitting near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze communities in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw.
The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against the Islamist-led administration of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and came despite his warming ties with the United States and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel.
Describing Syria's new rulers as barely disguised jihadists, Israel has said it would not let them move forces into southern Syria while vowing to shield the area's Druze community from attack, encouraged by calls from Israel's own Druze minority.
Mr al-Sharaa vowed that those behind violence against the Druze minority would be held accountable.
Scores of people have been killed this week in violence in and around the predominantly Druze city of Sweida, pitting fighters from the Druze minority against government security forces and members of Bedouin tribes.