A Deadly Night in Syria: Israeli Raid Leaves Many Hurt

In the early hours of a recent Friday, chaos erupted in the Syrian town of Beit Jin. Israeli forces stormed the area, leading to a violent clash. The result? At least 13 people lost their lives, including two young children. Many others were injured, some severely. The Israeli military claimed they were targeting suspected militants. They said they had to fight back when armed men attacked them. But Syrian officials told a different story. They said Israeli forces started the violence by shelling the town before entering. This wasn't the first time Israeli forces have crossed into Syria. Since the fall of the Assad regime, tensions have been rising. Israel has taken control of some areas near the Golan Heights. They've also launched many airstrikes across Syria, even hitting the capital, Damascus. Israeli officials say they're doing this to keep their borders safe. They don't want hostile groups near their territory. The attack left the town in shock. Residents described a terrifying night. They were woken up by loud gunfire and helicopters. Many couldn't escape because of the heavy bombardment. They were trapped inside their homes. At a hospital in Damascus, a woman named Asala Daher stood by her injured husband. She was terrified, she said. Their car was destroyed, and they couldn't leave until hours after the attack started.Medical teams couldn't reach the town either. The White Helmets, Syria's civil defense agency, said Israeli forces were firing at anyone who tried to enter Beit Jin. The Israeli military, however, said their operation was successful. They claimed to have captured militants linked to a Lebanese group. This attack shows the challenges Syria's new government faces. The country is still recovering from a long and brutal civil war. Sectarian unrest is common, and the government doesn't control all of Syria's territory. Meanwhile, the U. S. has been trying to broker peace in the region. They want Syria to join the Abraham Accords, agreements that normalized relations between Israel and some Muslim-majority countries. But Syria has so far refused to normalize ties with Israel. The raid angered Syrian officials. The foreign minister called it a crime. He said it targeted innocent civilians. Back in Beit Jin, residents were still trying to understand the devastation. "So many people are dying, " said Daher. "There has to be a solution. "