Israel attacked a target near the presidential palace in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

Axar.az reports, citing Guardian, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said early on Friday, reiterating his vow to protect members of the Druze community.

“Israel struck last night near the presidential palace in Damascus,” Netanyahu said in a joint statement with defence minister Israel Katz. “This is a clear message to the Syrian regime: We will not allow [Syrian] forces to deploy south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community.”

The Israeli military said in a statement it struck “adjacent to the area of the Palace of Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in Damascus”, without specifying the target. There was no immediate comment from Syria’s authorities.