Israeli Forces Kill Disabled Syrian Man During Southern Raid

Israeli forces shot and killed Muath Salama al-Baeer, a man with Down syndrome, during an overnight raid in the village of Jamla in southern Syria's Deraa province on Thursday. Syrian state media and local residents reported that al-Baeer was unarmed and developmentally disabled, alleging that Israeli troops deployed snipers on rooftops and fired indiscriminately while searching homes.

The Israeli military stated that soldiers fired upon a suspect who continued to approach them during a "suspect apprehension procedure." The military noted the incident is currently under review.

This killing occurred amid a pattern of escalating Israeli incursions into southern Syria following the December 2024 ouster of Bashar al-Assad. Recent reports indicate Israeli forces have detained residents in Turnejeh and destroyed olive groves in Quneitra province. The United Nations previously reported 280 armed Israeli incursions into southern Syria during September.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the actions as aggressions. The ministry called on the international community to intervene to stop repeated attacks on Syrian territory, arguing that such incursions obstruct recovery efforts and stability in the region.