The World’s Host Marco Werman speaks with Istanbul-based journalist Ruth Michaelson about unrest in Syria amid clashes between minority groups, government military involvement and Israeli airstrikes in the country.

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly ordered the "elimination" of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, following an explosive statement by Israeli Diaspora Minister Amichai Chikli.

An Israeli airstrike hit next to the presidential palace in Syria's capital Damascus on Wednesday, according to a Reuters witness.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the situation as "complicated" but said it looked like a "misunderstanding".

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the Damascus headquarters served as a command center for deploying regime forces to Suwayda, a southern Syrian region gripped by days of deadly clashes between government troops, Druze militias, and Bedouin groups.

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

Israel launched a direct strike on the Syrian military headquarters in Damascus following escalating violence against Druze civilians in southern Syri

Israel has intensified its airstrikes on Syria, including near the presidential palace and on the defence ministry headquarters in central Damascus.