STORY: An Al Jazeera reporter could be seen shielding himself on Wednesday (July 16) while on air, as a large explosion hit a building behind him.

He could be heard saying the building was the Syrian military headquarters.

Israel launched powerful airstrikes in Damascus on Wednesday, damaging the defence ministry and hitting near the presidential palace as it vowed to destroy Syrian government forces attacking Druze communities in southern Syria and demanded they withdraw.

The attacks marked a significant Israeli escalation against the Islamist-led administration of interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and came despite his warming ties with the United States and his administration's evolving security contacts with Israel.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

MOMENT: Explosions as Al Jazeera reporter on air in Damascus

VIDEO SHOWS: MOMENT OF VARIOUS EXPLOSIONS IN BACKGROUND AS L JAZEERA REPORTER ON AIR IN DAMASCUS, SYRIA

RESENDING WITH COMPLETE SCRIPT

SHOWS: DAMASCUS, SYRIA (JULY 16, 2025) (AL JAZEERA - Must not obscure logo)

1. MOMENT OF EXPLOSIONS IN BACKGROUND WHILE REPORTER IS ON AIR / LARGE PLUMES OF SMOKE RISING FROM BUILDINGS (AUDIO OF REPORTER SAYING IT IS THE SYRIAN MILITARY HEADQUARTERS)

2. SPLIT SCREEN SHOWING AREAS OF DAMASCUS

3. EXPLOSIONS