Israeli strike on Syrian General Staff captured live on local TV VIDEO

Today's Israeli airstrike on the Syrian Army General Staff building in Damascus was inadvertently broadcast live on Syrian state television, forcing anchor Dima Abu Danaa to abruptly leave the studio mid-broadcast.

According to Syria.tv, a powerful explosion rocked the area just outside the Ministry of Defense, located directly opposite the television studio.

مذيعة #تلفزيون_سوريا تغادر الاستوديو بسبب غارة للاحتلال الإسرائيلي استهدفت مبنى وزارة الدفاع وسط العاصمة #دمشق #نيو_ميديا_سوريا @DimaAbodan pic.twitter.com/lHVawfDOqA

— تلفزيون سوريا (@syr_television) July 16, 2025

The blast, resulting from an Israeli airstrike on the gates of the General Staff compound, caused visible panic during the live transmission.

A Syrian TV correspondent on the ground later confirmed witnessing a second strike launched directly by Israeli fighter jets, targeting the General Staff building itself.

مراسل #تلفزيون_سوريا: غارة ثانية لطائرات الاحتلال الإسرائيلي على مبنى رئاسة الأركان بـ #دمشق pic.twitter.com/KrgShRBczX

— تلفزيون سوريا (@syr_television) July 16, 2025

Earlier reports had suggested a demonstrative Israeli airstrike had already been carried out on the complex's gates, escalating tensions in the Syrian capital.

This action follows a pattern of Israeli military interventions in Syria, driven by concerns over regional security and the protection of the Druze minority, with whom Israel shares historical and communal ties due to its own Druze population of approximately 150,000.

The developments come amid heated sectarian violence in southern Syria’s As-Suwayda province, where clashes between Druze militias, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces erupted on July 13, resulting in at least 99 deaths, including 60 Druze, 18 Bedouin, and 14 Syrian security personnel.

On July 15, the IDF struck Syrian regime military vehicles, including tanks and rocket launchers, moving toward As-Suwayda, citing violations of the demilitarisation policy in southern Syria. This was followed by a targeted strike on July 16 on the Syrian General Staff complex in Damascus, intended as a warning to the new Syrian leadership under Sharaa to refrain from actions threatening Israel or the Druze. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasised Israel’s commitment to preventing harm to the Druze.

By Khagan Isayev