Syria’s transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa signed a temporary constitution Thursday and declared the start of “a new history for Syria.” Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the rebel offensive that toppled Bashar al-Assad in December, said the new constitution maintains Islamic law and that the head of state must be Muslim, as well as enshrining rights of women, the press and freedom of expression. The document’s signing came as Israel launched airstrikes on the capital Damascus. Israel’s defense minister has threatened to occupy parts of Syria for an “unlimited period” after deploying its troops following Assad’s fall.