Israel Enforces Southern Damascus Demilitarization Protecting Druze Amid Syrian Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made clear Israel's strategic objectives in Syria: to prevent Syrian government forces from moving south of Damascus and to protect the Druze minority in the region. Following Syrian regime attacks on the Druze community in as-Sweida, Israel responded with military strikes, including targeting the Syrian Ministry of Defense in Damascus, which led to a ceasefire and Syrian troop withdrawal. Netanyahu emphasized that Israel's actions were decisive and not based on appeals, underscoring a commitment to enforce these red lines to safeguard the Druze. Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, stressed their dedication to protecting the Druze and condemned the Syrian regime's violent actions against minorities. Netanyahu also urged Israeli Druze citizens not to cross into Syria amid ongoing violence, assuring them that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are actively working to defend their brethren. The complex historical and social ties between Israel and the Druze minority, who are integrated into Israeli society yet maintain a distinct identity, underpin Israel's policy stance in Syria and its broader regional approach.