Israeli operation in southern Syria kills 10 people and leaves dozens injured

The Israeli military said its troops were attacked by militants during a nighttime operation to detain suspects belonging to a group identified as Jaama Islamiya. They described the attack as part of routine operations in the region in recent months.

Israeli troops responded with fire “along with aerial assistance”, the Israeli military said in a statement, adding that three of the injured Israeli soldiers had serious injuries. “Several terrorists have been eliminated,” the statement said.

Syrian state news agency Sana reported that 13 people were killed and dozens of others were injured as a result of the Israeli attack. Among the dead were two children, Sana said earlier.

Israeli forces shelled Beit Jinn at 3:40 a.m. and Israeli troops entered the village, according to the agency. Residents confronted Israeli forces, who responded, leading to “violent clashes”, he added.

Israeli forces arrested two people, the military and a local Syrian official said.

Israel has expressed deep distrust of Syria’s new government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al Qaeda commander, and says it wants a demilitarized southern Syria.