In a bold and decisive move, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) carried out a high-precision airstrike in the heart of Syria’s capital, Damascus, dealing a severe blow to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror organization. The strike, confirmed by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, underscores Israel’s unwavering commitment to eradicating threats posed by radical Islamic militants, no matter where they attempt to operate.

Israel’s Stern Warning to Syria’s Interim Leader

Shortly after the operation, Defense Minister Katz issued a direct warning to Syria’s interim leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, making it clear that Israel will not tolerate terrorist activity on its borders or beyond.

“Wherever terror activity against Israel is organized, the extreme Islamic leader al-Jolani will find the Air Force aircraft flying above and striking terror targets,” Katz declared, using Sharaa’s notorious nom de guerre. “Islamic terrorism will not have immunity in Damascus nor anywhere else.”

🔴 The IDF confirmed its strike in Damascus, which targeted Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Syrian capital

This comes after Defense Minister Katz warned Ahmed al-Sharaa that he 'will find air force planes circling above him' if terrorist activity in Syria threatens Israel pic.twitter.com/64QneCI6Nz

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) March 13, 2025

Though he did not immediately specify the precise target of the strike, intelligence sources and Syrian reports quickly filled in the details, revealing that the attack was aimed at a highly significant PIJ command center operating from the outskirts of the Syrian capital.

The Target: A Senior Palestinian Terrorist Figure

According to reports from Reuters and Syrian state media, the airstrike was surgically executed against a high-profile Palestinian figure, deeply entrenched in terrorist operations against Israel. The Saudi-owned Al-Hadath news channel corroborated these claims, stating that the target was a senior Palestinian official with ties to multiple extremist factions.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of utter devastation, as thick black smoke billowed from the Dummar Project district, a known hideout for Palestinian terror operatives. Syrian sources reported at least eight casualties, though the identities and affiliations of the deceased remain unconfirmed.

🚨 Israel Defense Minister Katz confirms that the IDF attacked in Damascus: “Wherever terrorist activity is organized against Israel, the leader of the extremist Islamic movement, Al-Julani, will find the Air Force planes circling above him and attacking the terrorist targets. We… https://t.co/u5MLvyuOZs

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) March 13, 2025

Israel Confirms the Strike on PIJ Command Center

Hours after the strike, Israeli defense officials removed any ambiguity regarding their target.

"A short while ago, the IAF conducted an intelligence-based strike on a terrorist command center belonging to the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror organization in Damascus," read a statement from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). "The command center was used to plan and direct terrorist activities by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad against the State of Israel."

The statement emphasized Israel’s zero-tolerance policy toward the establishment of terrorist networks in Syria, making it abundantly clear that any attempt by militant factions to entrench themselves in the war-torn nation would be met with immediate and overwhelming force.

Israel struck a HQ of the Islamic Jihad terror organization in Damascus pic.twitter.com/S9gCVc4SFa

— Amichai Stein (@AmichaiStein1) March 13, 2025

"The IDF will not allow terrorist organizations to entrench themselves in Syrian territory and operate against the State of Israel, and will respond forcefully to any such entrenchment."

A New Era of Conflict: Israel's Post-Assad Strategy

This latest strike is part of an ongoing series of Israeli military operations in Syria following the dramatic collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December. With Syria now under the control of jihadist factions led by Ahmad al-Sharaa, Palestinian terror groups have seized the opportunity to expand their influence and escalate their war against Israel.

Israeli defense analysts have warned that terror organizations, including Hamas and PIJ, are actively exploiting Syria’s instability to establish strategic command centers, weapons stockpiles, and launching pads for future attacks. However, Israel has made it abundantly clear that such ambitions will not be realized.

Israel defence minister Katz: Every morning, Ahmed al-Sharaa opens his eyes in the presidential Palace in Damascus we are watching him from the height of Mount Hermon and he will remember that we are here pic.twitter.com/P4jj2SPYhd

— Rozwar (@Rojwar7288) March 12, 2025

Message to the Region: Israel Will Not Hesitate to Strike

The IAF’s latest operation sends a resounding message to terrorist factions across the region: Israel will not hesitate to eliminate threats, regardless of their location. The Jewish state has a long-standing policy of preemptive defense, and as the situation in Syria continues to evolve, so too will Israel’s military strategy to ensure the safety of its citizens.

With tensions in the region at an all-time high, the international community now watches closely to see how Syria's jihadist-led government will respond. One thing, however, remains certain—Israel is prepared for any eventuality and will continue to strike decisively against those who seek its destruction.