Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on 16 July that Israel has launched what he called “painful strikes” in Damascus. Announcing that “the signals are over,” Katz warned of further “painful blows” against targets in the Syrian capital. Neither the Israeli military nor Syrian authorities immediately confirmed details of the reported attacks or disclosed information on possible casualties or damage. Katz’s remarks signal a sharp escalation in Israel’s confrontation with Syrian forces and allied groups operating in Syria.