Israel Engages in Talks for South Syria Demilitarization
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirms ongoing discussions with the new Syrian regime regarding demilitarization efforts in southern Syria.
Jerusalem, August 28, 2025: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Thursday that Israel is actively engaged in talks aimed at demilitarizing southern Syria.
This marks an implicit acknowledgment by Israel of its engagement with the newly established Syrian administration.
Following a spate of deadly sectarian violence in Syria last month, Netanyahu met with a Druze leader in Israel to reassure him about government efforts to safeguard the Druze community in Syria.
The discussions, according to Netanyahu, are focused on three key objectives: ensuring the protection of the Druze community primarily in Sweida governorate; creating a demilitarized zone that extends from the Golan Heights down to and including Sweida; and establishing a humanitarian corridor for delivering aid.
These negotiations, Netanyahu emphasized, are currently underway.
The French Foreign Ministry has confirmed a meeting between Israeli and Syrian delegations in Paris under U.S. mediation last week, with discussions centered on de-escalation measures and addressing the situation in Druze-majority Sweida province following recent sectarian clashes.
The Israeli military has carried out numerous strikes within Syria since December, targeting various regions including Sweida.
In response to recent violence, Israel bombed Syrian government forces in July to force their withdrawal from southern territories.
Earlier this week, an airborne raid was conducted by Israel near the Syrian capital after multiple bombings, though no confirmation was provided by Damascus.
This marks an implicit acknowledgment by Israel of its engagement with the newly established Syrian administration.
Following a spate of deadly sectarian violence in Syria last month, Netanyahu met with a Druze leader in Israel to reassure him about government efforts to safeguard the Druze community in Syria.
The discussions, according to Netanyahu, are focused on three key objectives: ensuring the protection of the Druze community primarily in Sweida governorate; creating a demilitarized zone that extends from the Golan Heights down to and including Sweida; and establishing a humanitarian corridor for delivering aid.
These negotiations, Netanyahu emphasized, are currently underway.
The French Foreign Ministry has confirmed a meeting between Israeli and Syrian delegations in Paris under U.S. mediation last week, with discussions centered on de-escalation measures and addressing the situation in Druze-majority Sweida province following recent sectarian clashes.
The Israeli military has carried out numerous strikes within Syria since December, targeting various regions including Sweida.
In response to recent violence, Israel bombed Syrian government forces in July to force their withdrawal from southern territories.
Earlier this week, an airborne raid was conducted by Israel near the Syrian capital after multiple bombings, though no confirmation was provided by Damascus.
