Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will intensify its actions if the Syrian government continues to threaten the Druze community in southern Syria, in the Sweida region
He affirmed that Israel will not abandon the Druze and will maintain its disarmament policy in the area.
Katz demanded that the Syrian regime stop attacking the Druze in Sweida and withdraw its forces.
If this does not happen, he warned that Israeli attacks against Syrian government forces will be even more intense.
“The IDF will continue to attack until the regime forces withdraw, and will soon increase the intensity of its responses if the message is not understood,” he said.
According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based organization, the clashes in southern Syria have already caused 248 deaths as of Wednesday.
The organization also reported the destruction of churches and homes in the region, describing the Syrian government’s attacks as an offense to the “dignity and property” of the Druze.
Israel reinforced its presence on the border with Syria, sending three more military units, including one from the Border Police and another from the Golani Brigade, as well as military police forces.
This was done out of concern that Israeli Druze might attempt to cross the border to help their relatives in Syria.
The spiritual leader of the Druze in Israel, Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif, revealed that he met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Katz, and expressed hope that Israeli attacks would intensify.
Druze leaders in Israel announced a general strike and days of protests due to the “massacre” in Syria, urging the community to prepare to help the Syrian Druze.
Some Druze did cross the border but were driven back by Israeli forces.
? GENOCÍDIO EM CURSO NA SÍRIA – O MUNDO NÃO PODE SE CALAR ?
— Desiree Rugani (@desireerugani) July 16, 2025
Na região sul da Síria, combatentes islamistas ligados a Al-Julani massacraram cerca de 100 drusos, além de promoverem humilhações públicas como o barbeamento forçado de bigodes – um símbolo sagrado de identidade e? pic.twitter.com/nb6dyui9h7
This act is not just physical violence. It is a deliberate attempt to culturally and spiritually erase who they are.
At the same time, the Syrian regime invaded Sweida, one of the last regions where Christians and Druze lived free from the imposition of Sharia law. Now, this refuge is under brutal attack. These minorities face ethnic and religious cleansing before our eyes.
With no army to defend them Victims of jihadist militias and the Assad regime Subjected to violence, public shame, and degradation The world watching in silence
This is barbarity. This is persecution. This is genocide.
While many remain silent, the IDF (Israeli Army) has begun providing humanitarian aid and protection to these communities.
Jews know what it means to be defenseless. And they know that the world’s silence is complicit.
On Tuesday, Israel carried out airstrikes against Syrian government troops in Sweida, in the Jabal al-Druze (Druze Mountain) region, targeting tanks, armored vehicles, and rocket launchers.
These strikes were a response to the Syrian regime’s actions, which, according to Israel, violated agreements prohibiting the entry of forces and weapons into southern Syria, threatening Israel’s security.
The Israeli government emphasized its alliance with the Druze, citing family and historical ties between the Druze in Israel and Syria.
Prime Minister Netanyahu ordered immediate strikes against Syrian forces in Sweida to protect the Druze community.
On Tuesday, large columns of Syrian troops entered Sweida, a day after Israel attacked tanks heading into the area.
Israeli Minister Amichai Chikli denounced the atrocities committed against the Druze on social media, comparing the violence to the Hamas attacks in Israel on October 7, 2023. He criticized international leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron and UN officials, for failing to speak out against these abuses.
After the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime in December, overthrown by Sunni jihadists, Israel took control of parts of the Syrian side of the Golan Heights to create a security zone.
Minister Katz stated that Israeli forces will remain in the Mount Hermon region and the security zone indefinitely to protect Israeli communities.
Netanyahu also stated that he will not allow the presence of forces loyal to the new Syrian leader, Ahmed al-Shara (a former al-Qaeda terrorist), in southern Damascus.
Published in 07/16/2025 07h01
Text adapted by AI (Grok) and translated via Google API in the English version. Images from public image libraries or credits in the caption.
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