Netanyahu has demanded the ‘full demilitarisation’ of southern Syria, where Israel has extended its presence beyond its legal boundaries.
According to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel will not permit the new Syrian government’s military forces to be active in the areas south of Syria’s capital, Damascus.
Netanyahu, speaking at a military ceremony in Israel, insisted on the “complete demilitarisation of southern Syria, specifically in the Quneitra, Daraa, and Suweyda provinces, from the troops of the new Syrian regime.”
“We will not allow forces from the HTS organisation or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus,” Netanyahu stated, referring to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which played a primary role in the push that ousted long-term Syrian leader President Bashar al-Assad last December.
Netanyahu also highlighted that Israel will not tolerate any threats to the Druze community in Syria, who reside in the Golan Heights, a region seized by Israel, and other parts of southwestern Syria.
Following al-Assad’s departure, Israel has moved into an area acting as a buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and southern Syria, violating a 1974 UN-brokered agreement.
The Druze are a minority religious group found across several regional countries. In Syria, many oppose Israeli expansion into the southwest, and thousands in the occupied Golan Heights refuse Israeli citizenship.
Nonetheless, within Israel, most Druze support the Israeli state, with men obligated to military service.
Israel controls roughly two-thirds of the Golan Heights, with the UN overseeing a narrow buffer zone covering about 400 square kilometers (154 sq miles). The remaining area is under Syrian control.
In 1974, Israel and Syria signed a ceasefire agreement establishing the Golan Heights as a demilitarized buffer zone.
After al-Assad’s fall last December, Israeli forces moved into the buffer zone and have since conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military targets.
Israel’s basis for striking Syria has been the claim of eliminating Iranian military targets. However, Iran has denied any of its forces being present in Syria, and the new Syrian government has expressed no intention to engage in conflict with Israel.
Israeli forces have established two posts on Mount Hermon and seven within the buffer zone, as per Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israeli forces will maintain their positions on Mount Hermon and within the buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights “indefinitely, to protect our communities and counteract any threats.”
Netanyahu, speaking at a military ceremony in Israel, insisted on the “complete demilitarisation of southern Syria, specifically in the Quneitra, Daraa, and Suweyda provinces, from the troops of the new Syrian regime.”
“We will not allow forces from the HTS organisation or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus,” Netanyahu stated, referring to the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, which played a primary role in the push that ousted long-term Syrian leader President Bashar al-Assad last December.
Netanyahu also highlighted that Israel will not tolerate any threats to the Druze community in Syria, who reside in the Golan Heights, a region seized by Israel, and other parts of southwestern Syria.
Following al-Assad’s departure, Israel has moved into an area acting as a buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and southern Syria, violating a 1974 UN-brokered agreement.
The Druze are a minority religious group found across several regional countries. In Syria, many oppose Israeli expansion into the southwest, and thousands in the occupied Golan Heights refuse Israeli citizenship.
Nonetheless, within Israel, most Druze support the Israeli state, with men obligated to military service.
Israel controls roughly two-thirds of the Golan Heights, with the UN overseeing a narrow buffer zone covering about 400 square kilometers (154 sq miles). The remaining area is under Syrian control.
In 1974, Israel and Syria signed a ceasefire agreement establishing the Golan Heights as a demilitarized buffer zone.
After al-Assad’s fall last December, Israeli forces moved into the buffer zone and have since conducted numerous airstrikes on Syrian military targets.
Israel’s basis for striking Syria has been the claim of eliminating Iranian military targets. However, Iran has denied any of its forces being present in Syria, and the new Syrian government has expressed no intention to engage in conflict with Israel.
Israeli forces have established two posts on Mount Hermon and seven within the buffer zone, as per Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz.
Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israeli forces will maintain their positions on Mount Hermon and within the buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights “indefinitely, to protect our communities and counteract any threats.”
