Israel holds 155‑sq‑mi Syrian zone as U.S. urges accommodation with new Damascus government
Israel has carved out and continues to hold a roughly 155‑square‑mile area inside southern Syria, conducting arrests, weapons seizures and frequent airstrikes — including a summer strike on Damascus’s military headquarters and operations Israel said aimed to protect the Druze. The Trump administration is pushing for a quick accommodation with Syria’s new government and has publicly urged Israel–Syria dialogue while privately warning against uncoordinated strikes; Netanyahu says a deal is possible only if Damascus respects a buffer zone Israel deems vital to its security.
📌 Key Facts
- The Biden administration (per Axios) and Washington more broadly (per WSJ) is urging quick accommodation with the new Syrian government and publicly calling for Israel–Syria dialogue while privately warning Israel to curb its strikes.
- Senior U.S. officials say Netanyahu’s recent Syria strikes jeopardize President Trump’s push to engage President Ahmed al‑Sharaa and stabilize Syria.
- U.S. officials describe months of frustration with Israel’s “shoot first” approach and say Netanyahu did not provide prior notice of the latest operation.
- Israel has carved out and continues to hold a roughly 155‑square‑mile area inside Syria.
- Within southern Syria Israel has conducted arrests, weapons seizures and frequent airstrikes.
- Over the summer Israel struck Syria’s military headquarters in Damascus, saying the action aimed to protect the Druze minority.
- Prime Minister Netanyahu said a deal with Syria is possible if Damascus respects a buffer zone Israel deems crucial, asserting willingness to reach an agreement “while standing by our principles”; he made the comments while visiting Israeli soldiers wounded in an operation in southern Syria, a day after President Trump publicly called for Israel–Syria dialogue.
📊 Relevant Data
The Druze community in Syria constitutes approximately 3% of the population, estimated at 700,000 to 900,000 people, primarily concentrated in southern Syria.
Druze in Syria - Wikipedia — Wikipedia
Post-Assad, the Druze in Syria are politically fragmented due to years under the al-Assad dictatorship and have faced sectarian tensions and violence, prompting demands for self-rule or independence.
Syria's Druze divided as sectarian tensions linger after violence — Al Jazeera
There are strong historical and familial ties between Syrian Druze and Israeli Druze, with Israeli Druze organizing rallies and crossing into Syria in 2025 to support their community amid violence.
Who Are the Druze, and Why Is Israel Defending Them in Syria? | AJC — American Jewish Committee
📰 Sources (4)
- 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.