Israel Kills Syrians During Invasion of Ikwayya: “We Would Rather Die Than Leave Our Land”
Daraa (Quds News Network)– Residents of Ikwayya, a village in western Daraa, mourned their dead today after intense Israeli shelling targeted homes and farmland. The Israeli assault killed at least six civilians, with fears that the death toll could rise.
The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly condemned the assault, calling it “a dangerous escalation in Israel’s continuous aggression against Syrian territory.” In a statement, the ministry said: “This assault is part of a series of violations, beginning with Israeli incursions into Quneitra and Daraa provinces, as part of an ongoing aggression against Syria’s sovereignty and international law.”
The statement further rejected Israel’s crimes against innocent civilians and called for an international investigation. “We categorically reject these attacks and demand an international inquiry into the crimes committed against innocent people and Israel’s repeated violations,” the ministry declared.
The ministry also called residents to “ hold on to their land and reject any attempts at displacement or the imposition of a new reality by force, affirming that these attacks will not deter Syrians from defending their rights and their land.”
Families of the victims expressed their anger and determination to stay. One grieving relative stated:
“We call on President Ahmad Al-Sharaa, the international community, and neighboring countries. Our land is forbidden to the Israelis. We would rather all die than be forced out. The people who died in Gaza are no better than us. They defended their land, and we are defending ours.”
Israeli forces invaded Ikwayya’s farmlands this morning, leading to unexpected gunfire from locals that forced them to retreat. Israeli military launched heavy artillery and drone strikes on the village and surrounding valleys.
An eyewitness and brother of one of the slain civilians said:
“My brother was a civilian, but he grabbed his rifle and joined the youth to defend the village when the Israeli army advanced. We are ready to sacrifice one martyr after another. Syrian land is forbidden to the Israelis. We are all prepared to die rather than let these dogs enter.”
كلمة لشقيق أحد الشهداء الذين تصدوا لمحاولة توغل الاحتلال الإسرائيلي في قرية كويا في ريف درعا الغربي. pic.twitter.com/xuKaHWwyyi
Despite ongoing bombardment, mosque loudspeakers urged residents to stay and resist displacement. Some villagers moved to the northern part of the village to avoid shelling, but many insisted on remaining.
The situation in Ikwayya remains tense, with Israeli forces giving residents a two-hour ultimatum to evacuate.
