Israel strikes Syria as news reader ducks for cover live on air before US wades in

A news reader ducked for cover live on air as Israel launched strikes into neighbouring Syria with the US wading into the latest escalation in the Middle East.

Israel intensified its airstrikes in Syria, striking targets near the presidential palace as well as the defence ministry headquarters in the heart of the capital Damascus. The move was a dramatic escalation with Syria's health ministry claiming three people were killed and another 34 left injured.

One of the strikes was captured live on Syrian television with a news reporter seemingly preparing for a new segment when a blast was seen at a building in the background. In a panicked moment, the news reporter seemed visible shaken and ducked away for cover.

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It is unclear whether the news reporter suffered any injuries in the attack. Israel said it launched the attacks in order to protect Syria's minority Druze religious community. But Syria's northern neighbour Turkey has slammed the move and branded it a sabotage to the establishment of peace in the war-torn country.

Syria was embroiled in a bloody civil war for the best part of a decade before it dramatically came to an end last year. The Assad regime came to a swift end in December 2024 when rebel forces quickly swept the country.

Sectarian fighting has erupted in he city of Suweida where there are a large number of Druze. Israel said it carried out the strikes against Syrian military targets in order to defend the Druze civilians and accused the country's government of launching attacks in the south of the country.

The Druze make up the majority of Sweida province and have been in negotiations with the new Syrian government following the fall of Assad. Their leaders have not yet reached an agreement about their future relationship with the new state.

The Syrian army has reportedly announced it is withdrawing from the city, according to local television. The withdrawal follows and agreement between the government and local religious leaders.

US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio announced the White House had engaged with Syrian leaders following the violent incidents. In a post shared to X/Twitter, he said: "We have engaged all the parties involved in the clashes in Syria.

"We have agreed on specific steps that will bring this troubling and horrifying situation to an end tonight. This will require all parties to deliver on the commitments they have made and this is what we fully expect them to do."