Arab and Islamic governments and major political movements issued strong condemnations on Friday following an Israeli occupation attack on the Syrian town of Beit Jinn in the western Damascus countryside. The strike, which local groups said targeted civilian areas at dawn, has reignited regional alarm over escalating Israeli aggression.

In a sharply worded statement, the Political Bureau of Ansar Allah condemned what it described as “treacherous Zionist aggression targeting civilians” in Beit Jinn.

The movement said the assault represents “a blatant violation of Syria’s sovereignty and an expansion of the occupation of its territory,” while praising the “heroic resistance” of residents who reportedly confronted the Israeli occupation forces.

Ansar Allah reaffirmed Syria’s right to respond “by all available means,” stressing that “appeasement will not stop the enemy’s expansionist agenda.” It also urged Arab and Islamic governments to abandon a stance of “submission” that the group said enables "Israel" to intensify its attacks.

Syrian National Bloc: 'Israel' imposing new realities

The Syrian National Bloc likewise condemned the airstrike, warning that the continued “expansion of attacks and occupation of Syrian land” constitutes a grave breach of international law.

The bloc said the occupation patrol’s actions and resulting casualties amounted to a “massacre", while praising what it called the “patriotic resistance” of residents defending their land and dignity. It emphasized that "Israel" aims to impose “new realities” in the occupied Syrian Golan and border regions.

The bloc called on the UN Security Council to hold the Israeli occupation accountable for ongoing territorial violations and asserted that “liberating every inch of occupied Syrian territory” remains a national duty.

Turkey, Kuwait, GCC condemn escalation inside Syria

In a similar vein, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said the strike “once again demonstrates Israel’s destructive agenda,” demanding an immediate halt to actions obstructing security and stability in Syria.

Kuwait’s Foreign Ministry described the attack as “an attempted incursion and deliberate shelling” by occupation forces, warning that such behavior undermines regional stability.

GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi cautioned that "Israel’s" widening military operations could “undermine efforts to restore stability,” urging the international community to act “immediately and responsibly” to stop further escalation and to uphold Syria’s sovereignty under international law and the UN Charter.

Syria condemns Israeli raid on Beit Jinn as 'absolute war crime' 

Syria’s Foreign Ministry condemned the “war crimes” committed by Israeli occupation forces during the deadly raid and subsequent airstrikes.

Earlier in the day, Syrian state media reported that Israeli fighter jets carried out multiple strikes on the village, located around 50 kilometers from the capital, killing more than 20 civilians, including women and children, and leaving dozens displaced amid ongoing bombardment of homes and residential areas.

According to the Ministry, the airstrikes came after a group of Israeli soldiers “carrying out an invasion attempt inside a civilian Syrian community” was encircled by the residents, which reportedly prompted the Israeli military command to respond with heavy, deliberate shelling.

“After the failure of the invasion attempt, the occupying forces resorted to deliberate shelling of Beit Jinn, which constitutes an absolute war crime,” the Ministry stated. “This resulted in a brutal massacre that killed more than 20 civilians, including women and children, and triggered a mass exodus of the population due to the ongoing barbaric and intentional strikes on civilian households.”

Damascus said the attack forms part of a pattern of repeated and escalatory Israeli violations in southern Syria, accusing Tel Aviv of exploiting the political transition that took place in December 2024.

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The Foreign Ministry urged the United Nations Security Council and the Arab League to intervene immediately to halt “recurring aggression” and to impose deterrent measures ensuring compliance with international law, the UN Charter, and Syria’s territorial sovereignty.

The Ministry also reaffirmed Syria’s right to defend its land and population under international law. “These crimes only strengthen Syria's determination to firmly uphold its rights, its sovereignty, and its rejection of any form of occupation and aggression,” the statement said.

Details of the confrontations

At least 13 Israeli troops of an elite force were injured during the overnight incursion into the Syrian village of Beit Jinn, in the Damascus countryside. Among those injured were three critically wounded.

Reports indicate three Israeli soldiers were critically injured in the overnight raid, as Israeli occupation forces attempted to detain and abduct several individuals from Beit Jinn, whom they claim are affiliates of the Islamic Group. Elite troops from the 55th Paratroopers Brigade of the 98th Elite Division raided the town of Beit Jinn, which is located just a few hundred meters from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) Zone.

During their attempt to detain some of the individuals, gunfire broke out from locals, forcing a hasty withdrawal. 

An Israeli Humvee vehicle used in the incursion was subsequently left behind. Then, according to Israeli reports, the Israeli Air Force raided the area and bombed the abandoned vehicle. Among the three seriously injured troops were two officers of the 55th Brigade.

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