Israel justified the strikes by saying they were aimed at protecting the Druze minority engaged in violent fighting against the Syrian regime.
By surprise
Israel carried out violent air strikes on Damascus, Syria, targeting the Syrian Defense Ministry building and areas near the presidential palace.
Three dead
Israel justified the strikes, which caused at least three deaths and around 30 injuries according to CNN, by claiming that they were aimed at protecting the Druze minority engaged in violent fighting against the Syrian regime.
Both sides
The United States seems to have been taken by surprise by the attack, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio declaring himself "very concerned" by the situation. He added that Washington was in contact with both sides to help resolve the conflict.
Tensions
Tensions between Syrian forces and the Druze community have recently intensified. Israel, which regards the Druze as allies, has responded by striking directly at the infrastructure of the new Syrian regime, which Netanyahu describes as an "extremist Islamist regime".
Nearby
Several buildings were targeted by the air strikes in Damascus, including the Syrian army headquarters complex near the presidential palace. A few days after the strikes, the White House did not even try to hide its concern about Benjamin Netanyanhu's volatile temperament and unpredictability.