Israel Defence Forces (IDF) fighter jets conducted a strike "adjacent to the area of the Palace of Hussein [Ahmed] al-Sharaa in Damascus," the military confirmed via its official Telegram account in the early hours of May 2.

This marks a significant escalation in Israel's military engagement in Syria following support for the Druze minority community in their ongoing battles with the Turkish-backed regime in Damascus, which has left dozens dead in battles in the areas south of Damascus.

This comes after the IDF strikes against Syrian targets reportedly involved in attacks on Druze civilians the previous day, with the strikes occurring on the outskirts of Damascus.

"This is a clear message to the [new] Syrian regime. We will not allow forces to be sent south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz stated in a joint announcement, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

Earlier on May 1, the IDF announced, "The IDF is deployed in southern Syria and is prepared to prevent the entry of hostile forces into the area of Druze villages. The IDF continues to monitor developments with readiness for defence and various scenarios."

It added that the injured Syrian citizens were evacuated to the Ziv Medical Centre in Safed after sustaining injuries in Syrian territory. 

This military action represents a notable shift in Israeli policy regarding the Syrian conflict. The Netanyahu government's decision to intervene on behalf of the Druze community contrasts sharply with Israel's historical stance of non-involvement in Syria's civil war.

The proximity of the strike to a presidential palace in Damascus may also signal Israel's willingness to take severe action near Syria’s centre of power as a means of intervention on behalf of the Syrian Druze community, perhaps signalling the forming of a new regional alliance.