Six Israeli soldiers were wounded when fighters in southern Syria opened fire on an Israeli force carrying out an arrest raid in the village of Beit Jinn. The raid targeted two brothers accused by Israel of belonging to the Muslim Brotherhood linked Islamic Group and of planning attacks. Israeli troops had detained both men and were leaving the area when they came under fire. The army said two combat officers and a reserve fighter were seriously injured, another reserve fighter was moderately injured, and two others were slightly injured.

Israeli jets, drones, and helicopters launched strikes as the clashes unfolded, killing at least thirteen people. A Humvee was abandoned after getting stuck and was then bombed by Israeli forces so it could not be taken. One of the Syrians involved in the attack, Hassan al Saadi, was killed and had been due to marry on the same day. Syria’s foreign minister condemned the assault on Beit Jinn, saying it targeted civilians and warning that the continuation of such attacks threatens regional stability and demands an international response.

The confrontation comes at a tense moment in southern Syria, where Israeli forces took control of large areas after the fall of Bashar al Assad’s government last year and have since carried out hundreds of strikes against the remnants of the former Syrian army. Israel has increased raids in recent weeks even as Damascus and Tel Aviv have been holding direct talks aimed at a security arrangement. Syria has stated it does not seek confrontation and has signaled readiness to coordinate with Israel against Iran and allied groups, but Israel has tied any withdrawal to a full peace agreement. Negotiations are now stalled, and Israeli officials say they are preparing for possible attacks from Syria, noting that this operation, while unusual, is not without precedent.