Israeli forces shelled the northern outskirts of Taranja village in the northern Quneitra countryside, southern Syria, with artillery on Wednesday evening. There was no immediate information on casualties or the extent of the damage caused by the shelling.
Netanyahu’s tour of Mount Hermon
The shelling followed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s inspection of his forces on Mount Hermon inside Syrian territory, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz.
During the tour, Netanyahu said that work remained to be done, considering the main mission to be the overthrow of Iran’s regime, which he described as “terrorist.”
Damascus condemns visit
Syria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates condemned Netanyahu’s entry into Syrian territory and his tour of Mount Hermon, describing the visit as an illegal entry, a provocative step and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law.
Repeated incursions and strikes
Areas in the Quneitra countryside have witnessed Israeli troop movements and incursions, alongside repeated artillery shelling of various positions in the province.
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024, Israel has carried out hundreds of strikes on Syria, saying the attacks aimed to prevent the new authorities from taking control of the former army’s arsenal.
Israeli forces have also advanced beyond the buffer zone adjoining the Golan Heights, reaching Mount Hermon, and announced plans to establish a demilitarized zone. Israeli officials continue to say that the forces do not intend to withdraw from southern Syria.
