The Israeli military conducted strikes on sites in southern Syria on Tuesday, shortly after the new Syrian leadership called for Israel to withdraw from territory it has occupied since the fall of the Assad regime.
The Israeli military stated that the attacks targeted “military targets in southern Syria, including headquarters and sites containing weapons.” It emphasized that the presence of military assets in southern Syria poses a threat to Israeli citizens.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz described the strikes as part of a “new policy” aimed at achieving a “demilitarized southern Syria.” He warned that any attempts by Syrian forces or militant groups to establish a presence in what Israel considers its “security zone” would be met with force.
This policy was articulated by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a speech on Sunday, where he called for the “complete demilitarization” of southern Syria. The Syrian government condemned both the speech and the military actions on Tuesday.
Interim President Ahmed al-Shara led a national unity conference on Tuesday, which aimed to foster consensus on Syria’s political and economic future. The conference concluded with a statement denouncing Israeli incursions and rejecting Netanyahu’s statements.
The Syrian government accused Israel of violating its sovereignty and a longstanding agreement, urging the international community to pressure Israel to cease its aggressive actions.
Israel has been conducting strikes in Syria since before the fall of Bashar al-Assad, claiming to target the flow of arms and funding from Iran to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Following the ousting of al-Assad by a rebel alliance led by al-Shara, Israel has seized territory near the border and targeted military assets.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli forces have conducted 16 strikes in Syria this year, primarily through air force operations, with two ground strikes noted.
Israeli leaders have indicated their intention to maintain troop presence in border regions, which are meant to be overseen by international peacekeepers. However, their declarations regarding a demilitarized southern Syria have escalated tensions within the region.
Netanyahu specifically mentioned three southern provinces—Quneitra, Dara’a, and Sweida—asserting that Israel would not tolerate Syrian forces in these areas. Reports indicated demonstrations in Sweida in response to these statements and actions, with additional protests occurring in the other provinces.
Israel's incursions into Syrian territory began after the Assad regime's fall, described as temporary measures for security. However, ongoing strikes have raised concerns among Syrians about a potential prolonged military occupation.
The al-Shara government is attempting to form a national army to unify various militias, though some factions resist integration and control significant resources. Israeli actions are perceived by some Syrians as efforts to exacerbate divisions and hinder national unity.
The United Nations and several member states have asserted that Israel is violating a decades-old cease-fire established by a 1974 Security Council resolution by deploying troops within and beyond the designated buffer zone.
Additionally, the Israeli military reported strikes in Lebanon, targeting individuals identified as militants at a Hezbollah weapons facility. Lebanon’s health ministry reported two fatalities and three injuries from the attack.
Israel has been engaged on multiple fronts since the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack that ignited conflict in Gaza, which prompted Hezbollah to launch rockets and drones into northern Israel. Although a cease-fire agreement was reached with Lebanon in late November, Israel has continued to target what it claims are Hezbollah militants.
As the cease-fire between Israel and Gaza approaches its conclusion, hostages taken by Hamas have been exchanged for Palestinian prisoners. Late on Tuesday, Hamas announced that mediators had reached an agreement for the release of additional Palestinian prisoners, initially scheduled for Saturday.
Israel had previously delayed this release after the freeing of six Israeli hostages, stating it would wait for Hamas to commit to releasing them without “humiliating ceremonies.” Reports indicated that the release would occur within 24 hours, with Hamas also transferring the bodies of four deceased hostages to Egypt.