Won Syria Ceasefire By Force, Won't Allow Troops South Of Damascus: Israel PM Netanyahu

Last Updated:July 17, 2025, 20:48 IST

Netanyahu defends strikes, says Israel won’t tolerate threats to Druze minority.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a press conference, in Jerusalem. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday said a ceasefire in southern Syria was secured “by force" after Israeli strikes targeted Syrian troops and government buildings in Damascus, vowing that Israel will not allow Syrian forces to move south of the capital or threaten the Druze community in the region.

“I would like to brief you on what we have done in Syria, and what we are going to do in Syria. We have set forth a clear policy: demilitarization of the region to south of Damascus, from the Golan Heights and to the Druze Mountain area. That’s rule number one. Rule number two is protecting the brothers of our brothers, the Druze at the Druze Mountain," Netanyahu said, according to a press release by his government in Israel.

Netanyahu said he ordered Israeli forces to strike hard after reports of government troops slaughtering Druze civilians. The Israeli Air Force targeted regime troops, armored vehicles, and even hit Syria’s Ministry of Defense in Damascus. According to Netanyahu, the strikes forced Syrian forces to pull back and forced them into a ceasefire he claimed was achieved “through strength, not pleading".

Israel has repeatedly hit Syrian positions this week, citing both the protection of the Druze and enforcement of the buffer zone. Strikes were confirmed on regime armor in Sweida, military targets in Damascus, and even near the presidential palace. At least three people reportedly died in the Damascus strikes.

The violence erupted amid deadly clashes between Druze fighters, Bedouin tribes, and Syrian government forces in Sweida province, which is the heartland of Syria’s Druze community. Over 300 have been killed since Sunday, including 165 regime troops and 27 Druze civilians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The Druze, an esoteric sect that broke away from Shiite Islam in the 11th century, live across Syria, Lebanon, Israel, and Jordan. In Israel, about 153,000 Druze hold citizenship and serve in the military. But many Druze living in the occupied Golan still identify as Syrians. Historically, the Druze have played significant political roles across the region despite their small numbers.

Israel and Syria have technically been at war for decades. Israel occupied part of the Golan Heights in 1967 and opposes any hostile buildup near its border. With Syria now under an Islamist-led interim government headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, Israel has intensified its strikes, wary of jihadist threats and Iran-backed proxies returning to the south.

Sharaa, meanwhile, has promised to protect Syria’s Druze and accused Israel of fomenting division. “Israel seeks to dismantle our unity," Sharaa said. Damascus called the Israeli strikes a “dangerous escalation" but affirmed its right to defend its territory.

Tel Aviv, Israel

News world Won Syria Ceasefire By Force, Won't Allow Troops South Of Damascus: Israel PM Netanyahu