Israel launched deadly airstrikes on Syria’s capital on Wednesday, and threatened to escalate unless Syrian government forces withdrew from Sweida, a southern province dominated by the country’s Druse minority.

Video footage released by both Israeli forces and Syrian media show the moment the airstrikes hit the building in central Damascus, sending pieces of debris high into the air alongside large plumes of smoke.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Thursday that protecting the Druze citizens and their rights is "our priority", as Israel vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze in southern Syria.

Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa accused Israel of trying to fracture Syria and promised to protect its Druze minority on Thursday, after U.S. intervention helped end deadly fighting between government forces and Druze fighters in the south.