Israeli army armored vehicles block a road leading to the town of Quneitra, Syria. AP
Netanyahu’s comments Sunday at a military graduation led to new concerns over the Israeli occupation and sway in a swath of southern Syria as Damascus' new leaders attempt to consolidate control after years of civil war.
“Take note: We will not allow HTS forces or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus,” Netanyahu said, referring to Syria’s new authorities.
“We demand the complete demilitarization of southern Syria in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda from the forces of the new regime. Likewise, we will not tolerate any threat to the Druze community in southern Syria.”
There was no immediate response from Syrian authorities.
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz added that forces will remain on the peak of Jabal El Sheikh in southern Syria and in a the UN-patrolled buffer zone which it has occupied “for an indefinite period of time."
He said Israeli forces have built two posts on the mountain and another seven in the buffer zone, allegedly “to ensure defense and offense against any challenge.”
Katz said Israel will “strengthen ties with friendly populations in the region,” notably the Druze, a Muslim minority who live in both southern Syria and in occupied Golan Heights, where Druze navigate their historically Syrian identity while living under Israeli occupation.
After the fall of Assad in December, Israel occupied the buffer zone on Syrian territory. The zone was set up under a 1974 ceasefire agreement. Syria’s new authorities and UN officials have called for Israel to withdraw.
More broadly, Israeli forces “will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves and be present in the security zone in southern Syria from here to Damascus. And we will act against any threat,” Katz said.
* This story was edited by Ahram Online.
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