U.S. condemns Israeli airstrike in Damascus, urges dialogue as Israel and Syria agree to ceasefire after deadly incident.

U.S. Denounces Airstrike, Pushes for Calm

The United States government has strongly condemned the recent Israeli airstrike in Syria’s capital, Damascus, which targeted the nation’s Defense Ministry and an area near the presidential palace. According to reports, the strikes resulted in three deaths and left dozens injured, sparking renewed concerns about the escalation of violence in the region.

At a press briefing Thursday afternoon, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “The United States unequivocally condemns the violence. All parties must step back and engage in meaningful dialogue that leads to a lasting ceasefire.” Bruce stressed that Washington does not support the recent military action and is calling for restraint from both Israel and Syria.

Ceasefire Agreement Reached With U.S. Mediation

Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Wednesday that American diplomats successfully brokered an agreement between Israel and Syria to end what he described as a “troubling and horrifying situation.” Rubio called on all parties to fulfill their commitments, expressing gratitude for the decision to halt hostilities. “This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made, and this is what we fully expect them to do,” Rubio said.

The airstrikes came as the Israeli military intervened to defend the minority Druze community in southern Syria, which borders Israel. Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the operation aimed to “prevent the entrenchment of hostile elements beyond the border, protect Israeli citizens and prevent harm to Druze civilians.” The strikes occurred amid armed skirmishes between local Bedouin Sunni tribes and Syrian government forces recently installed in the area.

U.S. Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack also welcomed the de-escalation, praising the involved parties for stepping back from chaos and working toward a more peaceful solution in Syria.

When asked about the motivations behind the Israeli strike, Bruce suggested that ongoing investigations would determine whether any foreign fighters, such as ISIS, were involved in the conflict. She explained, “This is an ancient rivalry between the Druze and the Bedouins and violence ensued, the Syrians moving to that area to quell and stop that violence. And the Israelis, who see that occurring to the Druze community and their concerns, then entered what they assessed was something larger than what, or even not what it was at all.”

Secretary Rubio indicated that the Israeli strike was “likely” the result of a misunderstanding regarding the conflict’s scope and nature. The State Department’s response underlines the importance of continued investigation and dialogue to address the underlying tensions and prevent further escalation.

While minor skirmishes persist, U.S. officials reiterated that Syria’s government must take the lead in stabilizing the region, with support from international partners. The focus now shifts to monitoring the ceasefire’s durability and ensuring all sides adhere to the commitments necessary for a long-term peaceful resolution.