Netanyahu Demands Demilitarization of Southern Syria

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a strong statement on Sunday, demanding the full demilitarization of southern Syria. He declared that Israel will not accept the presence of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) or any forces affiliated with Syria's new regime in the southern regions, particularly in Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida.

Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would maintain a buffer zone in the area for as long as necessary, with previous statements suggesting that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) could remain there until the end of 2025, or potentially for years beyond.

This demand comes in the wake of significant changes in Syria’s political landscape. HTS, an Islamist militant group, took control of Damascus over December 7-8, ending nearly fifty years of rule by the Assad family. In response, Netanyahu ordered the IDF to enter southern Syria and establish a buffer zone to prevent HTS and other forces from advancing into the region.

At a recent officers' ceremony, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s firm stance, stating, "We will not allow forces of HTS or the new Syrian army to enter the territory south of Damascus." Additionally, he voiced Israel’s strong commitment to protecting the Druze sect in southern Syria, who have been facing increasing threats from the shifting political dynamics in the region.

While Syria’s new ruler, Ahmer al-Sharaa, has reaffirmed his commitment to the 1974 Israel-Syria armistice, he has also demanded that the IDF withdraw from Syria. This complex situation has drawn attention from international players, with the EU reportedly considering pressure on Israel to leave southern Syria, while the Trump administration has remained steadfast in its support of Israel’s presence there.