There's a dramatic twist unfolding in the Middle East and it's not the war you're thinking of. Israel launched an airstrike campaign inside Syria, claiming it's "protecting the Druze minority." But weeks ago,

Israel carried out heavy airstrikes in the heart of Damascus on Wednesday, hitting Syrian Defense Ministry headquarters and an area near the presidential palace.

Western diplomats were passing near Syria's defence ministry in Damascus in an armoured convoy when Israel struck the building with several missiles on Wednesday, according to two people familiar with the matter,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Syrian government troops will be blocked from the area south of the capital Damascus to protect the Druze minority following Israel's attacks in the country earlier this week.

At least 135 people have been killed at the Druze-majority city of As-Sweida since Sunday and many others humiliated by the assailants. The

Authorities are searching for a missing woman who was last seen in the Damascus area. Rachel Nicole Combs, 39, of Marion, is missing, according to the Washington County, Virginia Sheriff's Office. Anyone with information is asked to call the sheriff's office at (276) 676-6000.