UN slams Israeli strike near Syria presidential palace

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Friday condemned an Israeli air strike Friday near Syria's presidential palace in Damascus, calling on both sides to cease all hostilities and exercise “maximum restraint,” his spokesman said.

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The dawn strike, which Israel said had sent a “clear message” not to harm the country's Druze community, came after sectarian clashes between Druze fighters and Syrian forces, including government-affiliated groups.

Guterres “condemns all violence against civilians, including acts which could risk inflaming sectarian tensions,” his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The secretary-general also “condemns Israel’s violation of Syria’s sovereignty, including the latest air strikes near the presidential palace in Damascus.”

“It is essential that these attacks stop and that Israel respects Syria's sovereignty, its unity, its territorial integrity and its independence,” Dujarric said.

“The secretary-general unequivocally calls on all concerns to cease all hostilities, exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation.”

Syria’s government called the bombing a “dangerous escalation” amid increasing hostility between the neighbours.