UN deputy special envoy condemns Israel's deadly incursion into Syria

GENEVA

The UN deputy special envoy for Syria on Friday condemned the deadly Israeli incursion into Syrian territory in the Damascus countryside, which has resulted in the death of 13 civilians.

"The raid and accompanying strikes have also triggered the displacement of families from the town of Beit Jinn, forcing them to flee to nearby areas in search of safety," Najat Rochdi said in a statement.

Such actions constitute "a grave and unacceptable violation" of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, "further destabilizing an already fragile environment," she said.

Rochdi reaffirmed the UN's steadfast commitment to the sovereignty, unity, independence, and territorial integrity of Syria. She called for the immediate cessation of all such violations and urged full adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.

At least 13 people were killed, including women and children, and as many were wounded early Friday in the Israeli attack on the town of Beit Jinn and the road leading to Mazraat Beit Jinn in the Damascus countryside, according to official Syrian media.

The Israeli army said in a statement that six Israeli soldiers were injured, including three in critical condition, during the operation.

Syria condemned Friday's raid on the town of Beit Jinn as a "criminal assault," saying the incursion and subsequent airstrikes amounted to a war crime.