Israel Shells Area Near Beit Jinn; Gunfire Targets Homes in Daraa

Syrian state media reported that Israeli forces shelled the area around Tal al-Baterda, near the town of Beit Jinn in rural Damascus, with artillery on Friday. This was the second such incident in the area that day, following an earlier report of an artillery shell landing in a farming area west of Beit Jinn. No casualties or material damage were reported in either incident.

Syrian news outlets also reported gunfire targeting civilian homes in the town of Ma'raba in Daraa province, with no immediate reports of injuries or damage. These events come amid a series of repeated strikes in the region. Syrian reports indicate that the area around Tal al-Baterda was shelled on September 5 and September 3, with earlier shelling occurring on August 29.

The article notes that these incidents reflect ongoing tensions in southern Syria, with frequent military movements near border areas and sites around Damascus and Daraa, raising concerns about the impact on local residents. The area has seen previous Israeli actions, including an alleged Israeli drone strike on a civilian vehicle on August 22 that resulted in injuries. The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) later visited the site to document the aftermath.

Syria considers these Israeli actions a violation of its sovereignty and the 1974 disengagement agreement, demanding Israeli withdrawal from Syrian territory. Damascus views the continued shelling and movements in the south as a threat to its sovereignty and a source of regional tension. The Syrian government is documenting these incidents near the border.

No official Israeli statement regarding the recent shelling near Beit Jinn or the gunfire in Ma'raba was available at the time of reporting. The situation in southern Syria remains tense, with Damascus reiterating its commitment to sovereignty and demanding an end to the Israeli military presence, while the UN monitors developments near the disengagement lines.