JERUSALEM, Feb. 25 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israeli warplanes struck southern Syria on Tuesday night, claiming the attack was part of Israel's new policy of "demilitarizing southern Syria."

"The Air Force is currently forcefully striking southern Syria," Katz said in a statement, adding that the attack was part of the policy, announced on Monday by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, for "demilitarizing southern Syria."

"The message is clear: we will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon," he said, noting that any attempt by Syria's new government's forces and militant groups to establish themselves in southern Syria "will be met with fire."

Syrian media reported that Israeli warplanes carried out multiple airstrikes across southern Syria, as ground forces advance between Daraa and Quneitra in the south.

The Israeli military confirmed in a statement that the attack targeted military sites in Syria, including command centers and multiple sites containing weapons.

"The presence of military forces and assets in the southern part of Syria pose a threat to the citizens of Israel," the military claimed, vowing to "continue to operate to remove any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel." Enditem

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