Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday Israel’s two main objectives in Syria: ensuring that the south of the country remains demilitarized and protecting the region’s Druze community
Netanyahu explained that southern Syria is the area stretching from the Golan Heights to Jabal al-Druze, including almost the entire province of Sweida.
This region has recently suffered massacres against the Druze, committed by forces linked to the Syrian government.
According to Netanyahu, the Syrian government has disregarded both of these conditions.
“They sent troops south of Damascus, an area that should remain demilitarized, and they started attacking the Druze.
We absolutely cannot accept this,” he said.
Therefore, Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to act forcefully.
The Israeli Air Force attacked militias responsible for the killings and armed vehicles.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense in Damascus was also targeted.
“As a result of this action, a ceasefire was established, and Syrian forces retreated to Damascus,” the prime minister stated.
He reinforced that Israel will maintain this policy: preventing the presence of military forces in southern Damascus and protecting the Druze in Jabal al-Druze.
Netanyahu recounted that the spiritual leader of the Druze community in Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, made an emotional appeal: “During the Holocaust, when the Jews were being massacred, you called for help and no one came.
Now, you are massacring the Druze, and we ask the State of Israel for help.”
IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said Wednesday that the Israeli army is acting resolutely to prevent dangerous groups from approaching the border, protect Israeli citizens, and prevent attacks on the Druze in Syria.
On Wednesday, Israeli Air Force fighter jets attacked tanks, rocket launchers, combat equipment, and pickup trucks with heavy machine guns heading toward Sweida.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that attacks on Syrian forces near Sweida will increase if threats to the Druze continue.
“The Syrian government must leave the Druze in Sweida alone and withdraw its forces,” Katz said, emphasizing that Israel will not abandon the Druze community and will maintain its policy of disarmament in the region.
Published in 07/17/2025 18h42
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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