Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israel is currently engaged in discussions aimed at the demilitarization of southern Syria, marking a significant acknowledgment of contacts with the newly established Syrian regime. This announcement comes on the heels of deadly sectarian violence that erupted in Syria last month, prompting concerns about the safety of various communities within the country.
In a recent meeting with a Druze leader in Israel, Netanyahu emphasized his government’s commitment to protecting the Druze population, particularly in the Sweida governorate, an area that has faced significant unrest. He outlined a three-pronged approach to the situation: safeguarding the Druze community, establishing a demilitarized zone stretching from the Golan Heights to Sweida, and creating a humanitarian corridor for assistance delivery. “These discussions are taking place right now, at this very moment,” Netanyahu stated, as reported in a video shared by his office.
The diplomatic initiatives took a concrete form when Syria’s official news agency, SANA, reported a meeting between Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and an Israeli delegation led by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer in Paris on August 19. The focus of these talks was on de-escalation between the two nations and addressing concerns in the Druze-majority province of Sweida, which has seen violent sectarian clashes recently. The French Foreign Ministry has confirmed this meeting was conducted “under US mediation,” and it follows earlier talks held on July 24 in Paris between delegations from both countries.
Israel’s military operations in Syria have intensified since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad in December, with numerous airstrikes targeting Syrian government forces. Much of the territory within a UN-patrolled demilitarized zone has been under Israeli occupation along the armistice line with Syria. In light of these developments, Damascus has acknowledged holding indirect discussions with Israel, aiming to revisit the 1974 disengagement agreement that facilitated the establishment of the buffer zone.
Amid ongoing tensions, Israel conducted airstrikes in the capital and Sweida province in July, targeting Syrian government forces to compel their withdrawal from the increasingly volatile southern region. Most recently, Israeli forces executed an airborne raid on a location near the Syrian capital, with SANA reporting multiple bombings of the site. Although Israel has not officially confirmed this raid, Defence Minister Israel Katz affirmed that Israeli forces operate “in all combat zones” to safeguard the nation’s security.
