Israel Proposes Demilitarized Zone in Southern Syria
In a strategic move, the Israeli government has announced plans to establish a demilitarized zone extending from the occupied Syrian Golan Heights to Syria’s southern province of Sweida, reports 24brussels.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed this initiative during his visit to the village of Julis in Western Galilee, where he met with Mowafaq Tarif, the leader of the Druze community within the occupied territories, and other local figures. Netanyahu emphasized the government’s focus on three pivotal goals: protecting the Druze community, creating the demilitarized zone, and establishing a humanitarian corridor for aid delivery.
“These discussions are happening right now, as we speak,” Netanyahu stated, underlining the urgency of the matter.
Recent reports from Syrian media indicate that Israeli helicopters have landed in Sweida following a series of airstrikes by Israeli forces in the western countryside of Damascus. This escalation has raised concerns about the potential ramifications for regional stability.
Since the collapse of Syria’s previous government on December 8, 2024, Israeli forces have increased their presence and control over key areas, such as Mount Hermon, capitalizing on the ensuing power vacuum. The plight of the Druze in Syria has often been cited by Israeli officials as a rationale for advancing plans for so-called buffer zones along the border with Syria, further complicating the geopolitical landscape.
As discussions around this proposed demilitarized zone continue, the situation remains fluid, and the international community watches closely to gauge the potential impact on Syrian stability and regional security.