Israeli army disperses gathering of Druze at border with Syria
The Israeli army said that Israeli Druze crossed the border into Syria amid a “violent gathering” near the border fence in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights overnight.
In a statement on Telegram, the Israeli army said its forces, working with a border guard unit, had dispersed a demonstration by dozens of Israeli Druze in the Majdal Shams area of the occupied Golan Heights.
It said a number had crossed into Syria. Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that those who crossed the border had returned within two hours.
Amid violent clashes around the Druze-majority Syrian city of Suwayda in recent days, Israeli Druze have gathered in chaotic scenes at the Syrian border. Some have crossed into Syria in an apparent attempt to support their fellow Druze in the sectarian clashes, while Syrian Druze have also crossed into the occupied Golan Heights.
The incidents have led Netanyahu to appeal directly to Israel’s Druze community not to cross the border.
A Syrian Druze woman who had crossed to the village of Majdal Shams in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights bids farewell to relatives as she prepares to cross back to Syria on Thursday
Israel attempting to project hegemony through rhetoric on Syria
Israel’s statement that it would “allow” Syrian security forces to enter the Suwayda governorate for 48 hours shows it is seeking to cast itself as the hegemonic force in the region, analysts say.
“Israel wants this reality to be backed up by a rhetoric that solidifies its hegemony and power to enforce certain strategic objectives and red lines,” Gamal Mansour, who lectures at the University of Toronto, told Al Jazeera.
“As long as Syria remains outside of Iran’s axis, which Syria wants for its own reasons… I don’t think Israel is invested in Syria [as a whole],” he added.
While the US has voiced its displeasure over Israel’s bombing of Damascus, Mansour said the Trump administration did not put its foot down to avoid further attacks.
“The situation in Syria for the US is still contained and under control, and as long as Israel doesn’t hurt the [government of Ahmed al-Sharaa] or shake its foundations, it’s fine,” he said.
Daily attacks on Lebanon continue as well
Civilian killed by Israeli drone in southern Lebanon
A civilian has been killed by an Israeli drone attack while working on repairing the plumbing network on the roof of a house in the eastern outskirts of Khiam, in southern Lebanon, state news agency NNA has reported.
The incident took place in the Matal al-Jabal neighbourhood.
