Israeli forces advance to town near Damascus in Syria

Israeli forces have advanced to Qatana, a town near the southwestern outskirts of Damascus, according to Syrian and regional security sources. This location is about 13 miles from the Syrian capital and beyond the demilitarized zone. The Israel Defense Forces have been conducting airstrikes on former military sites in Syria, targeting locations such as chemical weapons depots and air defense systems. The Israeli government has stated that these actions aim to prevent these sites from being taken by extremist groups. Israeli troops have also been ordered to enter a UN-patrolled buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed that the Golan Heights will remain part of Israel permanently.