The operation appeared to be part of a broader campaign to eliminate strategic threats to Israel, and came after the IDF targeted airbases and science laboratories in Syria.
Mr Katz, who was visiting a naval base in Haifa, warned Syrian rebel leaders who follow Assad that their path will end up like the fallen leader.
He also said he had ordered the military to establish a “sterile defence zone” in southern Syria without permanent Israeli presence.
This was to prevent any terrorist threat to Israel, he said.
Israel earlier said it was “fake news” that IDF troops were nearing the Syrian capital Damascus.
