The Israeli military launched airstrikes near the Syrian presidential palace in the capital, Damascus, early Friday morning.

In detail, the Israeli Air Force launched airstrikes near the Syrian presidential palace in the capital, Damascus, early Friday morning, following Syrian authorities' warning not to advance toward villages inhabited by members of the Druze community in southern Syria.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said in a joint statement, "Israel attacked tonight near the presidential palace in Damascus. This is a clear message to the Syrian regime."

The statement added, "Israel will not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community."

Netanyahu's office added in the statement that "Israel will not allow the deployment of forces south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community," referring to recent security developments in the region.

He pointed out that the attack came within the framework of a deterrent policy to prevent what he described as a "threatening military positioning."