The United Nations special envoy for Syria has condemned an intense wave of Israeli airstrikes as Israel said its forces were on the ground in Syria to protect the Druze minority sect following days of clashes with Syrian pro-government gunmen.

The United Nations and its partners have condemned the proposals by Israel, which has been barring deliveries of food and medicine for months.

Dozens of Palestinians have been killed in intense Israeli attacks across Gaza, including attacks on hospitals and refugee camps.

The Israeli military said forces were in southern Syria to "prevent hostile forces" entering the region and Druze villages. UN special envoy Geir Pedersen slammed Israel's strikes, including on the Syrian capital.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns an Israeli air strike near the presidential palace in Damascus, says Israel must respect Syrian sovereignty.

General António Guterres is following developments in Syria, where fresh fighting in the capital Damascus and elsewhere is threatening fragile efforts toward peace and political transition.

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Jordan on Tuesday condemned the decision by Israel, as an occupying force, to resume the so-called "land registration and property settlement", especially in Area C of the occupied West Bank. A Foreign Ministry statement denounced the move as a blatant violation of international law and a continuation of Israel's efforts to impose its sovereignty over Palestinian land.