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Israeli Airstrikes on Damascus Kill 15, Including Women and Children, Syrian Media Reports
In one of the deadliest incidents in recent months, Israeli airstrikes on the Syrian capital, Damascus, left at least 15 people dead and injured 16 others, Syrian state media reported on Thursday. The strikes targeted residential areas in the upscale Mezzah neighborhood and the nearby Qudsaya region, according to Syria’s state-run news agency SANA, citing a military source.
Among the casualties were women and children, according to SANA, with significant damage reported to buildings and surrounding properties. This escalation marks one of the heaviest strikes in recent months on the densely populated urban areas of Damascus.
The Israeli military confirmed the strikes, stating they targeted Islamic Jihad positions within Syria. “The Israeli military has struck Islamic Jihad targets in Syria, inflicting substantial damage on the organization’s command centers and operatives,” read a statement released by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).
According to SANA, the strikes were launched from the occupied Golan Heights, with missiles reportedly hitting several civilian structures. “The Israeli enemy launched an aerial attack from the direction of the occupied Syrian Golan, targeting multiple residential buildings in the Mezzah neighborhood of Damascus and the Qudsaya area in the Damascus countryside,” a Syrian military official told SANA. The airstrikes, which took place in the early hours, led to “the martyrdom of fifteen people and the injury of sixteen others, including women and children,” the official added.
The attack underscores ongoing regional tensions and the persistent Israeli targeting of what it identifies as Iranian-aligned groups operating in Syria, including Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad. Israel has stated its aim is to prevent Iranian-backed militias from consolidating power and establishing military footholds close to Israel’s borders. Thursday’s airstrikes represent the latest episode in a long series of such strikes that have intensified since the beginning of the Syrian civil war in 2011.
The Syrian government has condemned the strikes, viewing them as violations of its sovereignty and an act of aggression. Syrian officials have also voiced concerns over civilian casualties and the safety of densely populated areas around Damascus, urging international intervention to curb the escalating violence.
There has been no immediate response from international bodies, though previous escalations between Israel and Syria have often drawn calls for restraint from global powers. Human rights organizations have expressed concern about the impact of such military operations on civilians, particularly in conflict zones where infrastructure is already fragile.
As tensions continue, regional observers caution that the violence could further destabilize Syria, which remains in a prolonged state of conflict. The latest strikes raise questions about the safety of civilians in contested areas and the role of international mediation in de-escalating ongoing hostilities between Israel and Iranian-aligned forces operating in Syria.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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