The European Union on Wednesday urged all foreign parties to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity after a surge in Israeli air-strikes on Syrian territory, including the capital Damascus and the southern province of Sweida. The appeal follows days of escalating violence that has drawn renewed international scrutiny. EU Commission spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said Brussels is “alarmed” by the fighting and “strongly condemns the reported violence against civilians.” He added that Syria’s transitional authorities must de-escalate the situation, ensure accountability and restore calm. Local monitors say clashes in Sweida have already left at least 30 people dead. Earlier in the day, Israeli warplanes struck the Syrian Army’s General Staff complex near the presidential palace in Damascus and hit additional targets around Sweida. The Syrian health ministry reported one civilian killed and 18 wounded in the Damascus raid, while state media said at least two people were injured at the General Staff site. Israel maintains that the strikes are intended to protect the country’s Druze minority from sectarian violence. Washington echoed European concerns. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio told reporters he is “very concerned” about the Israeli strikes and is in contact with regional actors in an effort to revive a fragile cease-fire. The EU said it stands ready to support efforts to calm the situation but insisted that any military action inside Syria must comply with international law and respect the country’s territorial integrity.