By: Fern Sidman

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were ordered on Tuesday to carry out immediate military action in southern Syria to protect the local Druze population, following the deployment of Syrian regime forces to the Sweida region. According to a report that appeared on The Jewish News Syndicate (JNS), the directive came directly from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, reflecting Israel’s stated commitment to safeguarding the Druze minority in Syria due to longstanding ties with the Druze community within Israel.

As reported by JNS, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) emphasized that Damascus had violated prior demilitarization agreements that prohibit the entry of Syrian regime forces and heavy weaponry into southern Syria—activity Israel views as a direct threat to its security and to the stability of its border regions.

“Israel is committed to preventing harm to the Druze in Syria due to the deep fraternal alliance with our Druze citizens in Israel, as well as their familial and historical ties to the Druze in Syria,” the PMO stated, according to the report at JNS. The statement underscored that Israeli military action aimed both to protect the Druze population in the region and to enforce the established demilitarization policy.

The IDF confirmed that it targeted a range of Syrian military assets, including armored vehicles, tanks, armored personnel carriers, and rocket launchers. Access routes used by Syrian forces to enter the area were also struck in an effort to block reinforcements, according to the IDF’s operational briefing cited by JNS.

The military operation comes amid reports of intensified clashes between Druze militias and forces loyal to the Sunni Islamist regime in Damascus. Large columns of Syrian regime troops, supported by armor and artillery, had advanced into the Sweida region early Tuesday morning, raising alarms within Israel’s defense establishment.

The IDF’s intervention followed a previous operation on Monday, during which Israeli forces reportedly struck several Syrian tanks attempting to enter the Jabal al-Druze area. These strikes were intended to prevent further escalation and protect the local Druze population from regime offensives, as was reported by JNS.

In response to the Israeli strikes, Syrian Defense Minister Murhaf Abu Qasra announced a ceasefire on Tuesday. Abu Qasra instructed regime forces in Sweida to cease all offensive operations, pledging that they would only return fire if attacked by local militias.

“To all units in Sweida: We declare a complete truce after an agreement with the city’s dignitaries and notables. We will respond only to sources of fire and deal with any shooting by lawless groups,” Abu Qasra stated in his announcement, signaling a temporary de-escalation in hostilities.

Meanwhile, in a related incident along the Israel-Syria border, dozens of Israeli civilians crossed from the Israeli side near Majdal Shams—a predominantly Druze town in the Golan Heights—into Syrian territory. The IDF swiftly deployed personnel to manage the situation and facilitate the civilians’ safe return. JNS reported that the military emphasized its ongoing efforts to prevent further escalations along the sensitive frontier.

The developments in Sweida have also sparked strong reactions from within the Israeli government. Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Minister Amichai Chikli publicly called for Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa to be eliminated. In a statement posted to social media and reported by JNS, Chikli described al-Sharaa as a “terrorist” and a “barbaric murderer,” citing videos allegedly showing Syrian regime soldiers humiliating Druze religious leaders and civilians.

“We must not stand idly by in the face of the Islamist-Nazi terror regime of Al-Qaeda in a suit and tie,” Chikli wrote, referring to al-Sharaa’s regime. He further asserted, “Anyone who thinks Ahmad al-Shara is a legitimate leader is gravely mistaken — he is a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated without delay.”

Chikli’s comments reflect a broader Israeli condemnation of the Syrian regime’s actions against minority groups, including both the Druze and Alawite communities. The minister’s statement accused European leaders of maintaining silence in the face of atrocities and reiterated his call for international action against what he described as a terror regime.

The situation remains highly volatile, with the IDF continuing to monitor developments closely, according to the information provided in the JNS report.  The Israeli military stated that it remains prepared for a range of defensive scenarios along the northern border and reaffirmed its readiness to act decisively if further threats emerge from within Syrian territory.

The ongoing tensions highlight the fragile security environment along Israel’s northeastern frontier and the complex dynamics involving Syrian regime forces, local militias, and regional alliances. As JNS reported, Israel’s intervention underscores its strategic interest in preventing hostile forces from establishing a foothold near its borders and in upholding its commitment to protecting the Druze community.

The Israeli government’s public statements make clear that Jerusalem views the protection of the Druze as both a moral obligation and a matter of national security. The IDF’s operations in the Sweida region appear to be calibrated to deter further aggression by the Syrian regime while maintaining vigilance against potential cross-border threats.

Whether the ceasefire declared by Syrian Defense Minister Abu Qasra will hold—and whether Damascus will honor its commitments—remains uncertain. For now, Israel’s posture remains one of active deterrence, with military forces on alert and diplomatic channels focused on preventing a broader conflict in the region.