The dawn strike, which Israel said had sent a "clear message" not to harm the country's Druze community, came after sectarian clashes between Druze fighters and Syrian forces, including government-affiliated groups.

Guterres "condemns all violence against civilians, including acts which could risk inflaming sectarian tensions," his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

The secretary-general also "condemns Israel's violation of Syria's sovereignty, including the latest air strikes near the presidential palace in Damascus."

"It is essential that these attacks stop and that Israel respects Syria's sovereignty, its unity, its territorial integrity and its independence," Dujarric said.

"The secretary-general unequivocally calls on all concerns to cease all hostilities, exercise maximum restraint and avoid further escalation."

Syria itself denounced the Damascus air strike as a "dangerous escalation."