Israel escalated its military operations in Syria on Wednesday, targeting the entrance to the Syrian defense ministry in Damascus, as part of its stated mission to safeguard the Druze minority from government forces. The strike marked the third consecutive day of Israeli attacks in Syria, where government troops have been engaged in clashes with local Druze militias in the southern city of Sweida.

According to security sources inside the Syrian defense ministry, at least two drone strikes hit the ministry building, forcing personnel to seek shelter in the basement. Syria’s state-run Elekhbariya TV reported that the Israeli attack injured two civilians. The Israeli military confirmed the operation, stating it targeted the “entrance gate of the Syrian regime’s military headquarters complex” in Damascus, while emphasizing its ongoing monitoring of actions against Druze civilians in southern Syria.

Israeli airstrikes also hit Sweida, a predominantly Druze city, on Wednesday, undermining a ceasefire announced the previous evening. The region has seen four days of intense fighting, initially sparked by clashes between Druze fighters and Bedouin armed groups. Syrian government forces, deployed to Sweida on Monday to restore order, instead became embroiled in direct confrontations with Druze militias.

Local outlet Sweida24 reported heavy artillery and mortar fire targeting Sweida and surrounding villages early Wednesday. Syria’s defense ministry, via state news agency SANA, attributed the collapse of the truce to “outlaw groups” in Sweida. The ministry urged residents to remain indoors, as some locals, reached by phone, described being confined to their homes without electricity amid the escalating violence.