The Israel Air Force targeted the majority of the strategic weapons stockpiles within Syria, carrying out some 350 strikes, the military confirmed on Tuesday night.
The aim of the operation was to prevent them from falling within reach of terrorist groups in Syria.
The Israeli navy struck both the Al-Bayda and Latakia ports, in which were some 15 Syrian naval vessels, the military added.
The military struck anti-aircraft batteries, air force fields belonging to the Syrian military, and weapons production facilities in Damascus, Homs, Latakia, Palmyra, and Tartus. The IDF also degraded cruise missiles, surface-to-sea missiles, UAVs, fighter jets, radars, tanks, and attack helicopters, among other things.
Earlier, it was reported that most of the strikes were in southern Syria and around the city of Damascus, targeting Syrian army bases, with an emphasis on air defense systems and stores of surface-to-surface and surface-to-air missiles.
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Israeli security sources indicate that these actions have significantly expanded the air force's operational freedom.
Additionally, there have been attempts by Hezbollah to seize Syrian weaponry.
On Monday evening, two Syrian security sources told Reuters that IAF jets had struck at least three major Syrian army air bases that housed dozens of helicopters and jets.
The Qamishli air base in northeast Syria, the Shinshar base in the countryside of Homs, and the Aqrba airport southwest of the capital Damascus were all hit, the sources said.
The air force also reportedly carried out several strikes on a research center on the outskirts of Damascus and a center for electronic warfare near the Sayeda Zainab area of the capital.
Israeli tanks spotted not far from Damascus
Also on Tuesday morning, citing Arab reports, Israeli media reported that IDF tanks were spotted approximately 20 km from Damascus.
According to Reuters, the IAF sunk several Syrian military vessels in their home port. The IDF later confirmed that the Israeli navy had conducted a large-scale operation overnight to destroy Syria's naval fleet.
"The attack was carried out using Navy missile ships, during which many Syrian naval vessels carrying dozens of sea-to-sea missiles were destroyed in the Mina al-Bayda area and the port of Latakia," the military reported.
The IDF noted that the operation was conducted to stop the fleet's assets "from falling into the hands of hostile elements."
Israeli incursion into Syria reaches 25 km southwest of Damascus, security sources say
An Israeli military incursion into southern Syria has reached about 25 kilometers (16 miles) southwest of the capital, Damascus, two regional security sources and one Syrian security source said on Tuesday.
The Syrian security source said Israeli troops reached Qatana, which is 10 kilometers into Syrian territory east of a demilitarized zone separating Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria.
An Israeli military spokesperson later denied that Israeli forces had penetrated into Syrian territory beyond the buffer zone.
"It's not true. The forces have not left the buffer zone," the spokesperson said.
IDF Arabic media spokesperson, Colonel Avichay Adraee, reiterated that IDF troops had not pushed further into Syria.
"Reports circulating in some media outlets claiming that IDF forces are advancing or approaching Damascus are completely incorrect," Adraee wrote in a post on X/Twitter. "IDF forces are present inside the buffer zone and at defensive points close to the border in order to protect the Israeli border."
Following condemnations from regional countries on Israel's activities in Syria, the IDF spokesperson again on Tuesday afternoon said they are not advancing toward Damascus, Reuters reported. According to the spokesperson, Israel has no interest in Syria beyond protecting its borders and civilians, the wire agency noted, and the IDF is acting to prevent strategic weapons from falling into hostile hands.
Necessary to address security threats
In a letter to the United Nations Security Council, Israeli Ambassador Danny Danon described the military actions as “limited and temporary” measures necessary to address immediate security threats.
“Israel does not intervene in the internal Syrian conflict,” Danon wrote, emphasizing that the strikes were specifically aimed at ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens, particularly those residing in the Golan Heights. He reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to the Disengagement agreement that was made on May 31, 1974, between Israel and Syria.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to intensify its activities along the Syrian border following the Syrian military’s recent occupation of Mount Hermon. The IDF has been directed to establish a security zone beyond the buffer area while fostering ties with local populations, including the Druze community, to enhance stability in the region.
Additionally, on Tuesday, a senior Israeli official was cited as saying If the new government in Syria acts against Israel or will allow Iran to establish itself and act against Israel within Syrian territory, Israel will attack with strength.
"Israel is not interested in intervening in Syria's internal affairs but will act resolutely to protect its security," the official reportedly noted, adding "We hope that the new regime will act solely for the benefit of the Syrian people and return Syria to the Arab world's fold."
The official further stated, "If the new regime acts against Israel or allows Iran to reestablish itself in Syria and operate against Israel from its territory, Israel will strike with strength and determination against such attempts and exact a heavy and painful price."
This comes amid reports that Israel had struck some 300 targets in Syria early Tuesday morning.
Jerusalem Post Staff, Sam Halpern, Mathilda Heller, and Raquel Guertzenstein Frohlich contributed to this report.