France has called on Israel to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity following an Israeli airstrike in Damascus that killed at least 13 civilians, including women and children. The French chargé d’affaires in Syria, Jean-Baptiste Favre, expressed concern over civilian casualties and reaffirmed France’s commitment to international law and the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two countries. He urged Middle Eastern nations to engage in efforts to make Syria a center of peace, security, and stability for the region. Reports indicate that since December 2024, Israel has conducted over a thousand airstrikes and more than 400 cross-border operations in southern Syria. Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government late last year, Israel reportedly took control of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights, violating the previous agreement with Syria. France’s statement reflects growing international concern over escalating violence and regional instability.