Israel holds 155‑sq‑mi Syrian zone as U.S. urges accommodation with new Damascus government
Israel continues to hold and patrol a roughly 155‑square‑mile zone inside southern Syria, carrying out arrests, weapons seizures and frequent airstrikes that it says protect its security and which have fueled hawkish rhetoric at home. The Trump administration, pressing for quick engagement with new Syrian president Ahmed al‑Sharaa and offering verification or peacekeeping roles (and even talk of folding Syria into broader regional deals), has privately warned Israel to curb strikes and pursue accommodation even as Netanyahu says a deal is possible only if Damascus respects an Israeli buffer zone and Syria demands withdrawal and recommitment to the 1974 truce.
📌 Key Facts
- Israel controls and continues to hold a roughly 155‑square‑mile area inside Syria and has conducted arrests, weapons seizures and frequent airstrikes in southern Syria.
- Over the summer Israel struck Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus, saying the action aimed to protect the Druze minority.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a deal with Syria is possible if Damascus respects a buffer zone Israel deems crucial; he made the remarks while visiting Israeli soldiers wounded in a recent operation and emphasized willingness to reach an agreement “standing by our principles.”
- Senior U.S. officials say Netanyahu’s recent strikes jeopardize President Trump’s push to engage Syria’s new president, Ahmed al‑Sharaa; Washington has paired public calls for Israel–Syria dialogue with behind‑the‑scenes warnings to Israel to stop strikes and has criticized a ’shoot first’ approach without prior notice.
- The Biden administration (note: reported sources refer to the Trump White House) seeks a quick resolution with the new Syrian government, creating friction with Israel’s more aggressive posture.
- U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Damascus is not seeking aggression toward Israel, claimed U.S. and Syrian cooperation recently eliminated Hezbollah and ISIS cells, and floated a U.S. peacekeeping/verification role and folding Syria into an expanded Abraham Accords as a de‑escalation option.
- Video of Syrian army soldiers chanting militant anti‑Israel slogans at a Damascus parade was published (Arabic translation independently verified); Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli responded that “War is inevitable,” likening Syria’s regime to ISIS.
- According to reporting (via AP), President Ahmed al‑Sharaa says negotiations with U.S. participation are underway and that Syria seeks Israeli withdrawal and a recommitment to the 1974 truce.
📊 Relevant Data
More than 1,000 people were killed in sectarian violence in Syria's Sweida province in 2025, most of them Druze.
In Syria's south, Bedouins uprooted by sectarian clashes see little hope of return — Reuters
In a 2025 survey, 74% of Syrians opposed recognition of Israel.
Arab Opinion Index: Syrian Public Opinion Survey 2025 — Arab Center Washington DC
The new Syrian army under President Ahmed al-Sharaa relies on loyalists with conservative Sunni Muslim ideology, while non-Sunni armed groups like Druze have largely refused to integrate.
Syria, Rebuilding Its Military, Relies on Loyalists and Religious Training — The New York Times
📰 Sources (5)
- Syrian army soldiers were filmed in a Damascus parade chanting militant anti‑Israel slogans; Fox says its Arabic translation was independently verified.
- Israel’s Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli posted 'War is inevitable' in response and likened Syria’s regime to ISIS.
- U.S. envoy Tom Barrack said Damascus is not seeking aggression toward Israel, claimed the U.S. and Syria eliminated nine Hezbollah cells and several ISIS cells in recent weeks, and floated a U.S. peacekeeping role as 'verification' in lieu of trust.
- Barrack suggested Syria could be folded into an expanded Abraham Accords and called it the 'softest play' for de‑escalation.
- AP reported President Ahmed al‑Sharaa said negotiations are underway with U.S. participation, and Syria seeks Israeli withdrawal and recommitment to the 1974 truce.
- Israel has carved out and continues to hold a 155-square-mile area inside Syria.
- Israel has conducted arrests, weapons seizures and frequent airstrikes in southern Syria since Assad’s fall.
- Over the summer, Israel struck Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus, saying it aimed to protect the Druze minority.
- Washington under President Trump seeks a quick resolution with the new Syrian government, creating friction with Israel’s more aggressive posture.
- Netanyahu said an agreement with Syria is possible if Damascus respects a buffer zone Israel deems crucial to its security.
- Direct quote from Netanyahu affirming willingness to reach an agreement while “standing by our principles.”
- He made the remarks Tuesday while visiting Israeli soldiers wounded in an operation against militants in southern Syria.
- The statement came a day after President Trump publicly called for Israel–Syria dialogue.
- Senior U.S. officials say the administration views Netanyahu’s recent Syria strikes as jeopardizing Trump’s push to engage President Ahmed al‑Sharaa and stabilize Syria.
- Officials characterize months of frustration with a ‘shoot first’ approach and say Netanyahu did not provide prior notice of the latest operation.
- Trump’s Monday post urging Israel–Syria dialogue is paired with behind-the-scenes U.S. warnings to Israel to stop the strikes.