Israeli confrontation with al-Sharaa possible: Israeli media
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Israeli media is analyzing Netanyahu's statement threatening military intervention in Syria to "protect the Druze in Jaramana," suggesting "Israel" could be drawn into Syria.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters after meeting with US Speaker of the House Mike Johnson at the Capitol in Washington, on February 7, 2025. (AP)
Israeli media reported on comments from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office and Security Minister Israel Katz regarding Jaramana, a town southeast of Damascus. They both issued threats to intervene "to defend the Druze" following rising tensions between the Druze community and the new government's security forces.
Channel 12's Arab affairs commentator, Ohad Hamo, suggested that the recent threats, along with Netanyahu's earlier request for the new government's forces to avoid entering southern Syria, indicate "the possibility of opening an additional front," potentially drawing "Israel" into an Arab country, specifically Syria.
Hamou stated, "Tensions between the Druze and the central authority in Damascus have escalated, particularly on Saturday evening in Jaramana, where al-Joulani's forces are attempting to take control of the Druze city."
Israeli media reported that Netanyahu and Katz instructed the Israeli army to "prepare to defend the Druze village of Jaramana, on the outskirts of Damascus, which is currently under attack by Syrian regime forces."
A statement from Netanyahu and Katz declared, "We will not allow the extremist Islamic terrorist regime in Syria to harm the Druze. If the regime harms the Druze, we will harm it."
The statement also added, "We are committed to our Druze brothers in Israel to do everything in our power to prevent harm to their Druze brothers in Syria, and we will take all necessary steps to preserve their security."
Netanyahu wants to portray 'Israel as a superpower' versus the new Syria
Commenting on Netanyahu and Katz's statement, Yanon Yateh, military affairs correspondent for "Israel's" News 24 channel, said, "Netanyahu and Katz announced they would protect the Druze, stating that they had given instructions to the army to act, possibly through warning strikes, against the new regime in Syria if the Druze were attacked."
He considered that "this is a very important development", because "Israel wants to show here that it is a step towards being a superpower in contrast to the new Syria that is developing."
'Possible tensions with al-Joulani's forces'
In turn, Amir Bar Shalom, military affairs commentator for Israeli Army Radio, stated that Netanyahu's statement "indicates we are discussing control over strategic land. We are still in the initial stage with no friction with al-Joulani's forces, but such friction could occur."
He explained Netanyahu's new stance on Syria by saying: "Israel has committed to acting militarily if the Druze are harmed, meaning Israel is preparing for a military operation on Syrian soil," adding that "Netanyahu can carry this out without formally declaring it."
On Saturday, Jaramana witnessed a security operation "to search for wanted individuals" following the killing of a member of the General Security Service in Syria's Ministry of Interior.
Local sources informed Al Mayadeen that confrontations took place between the Syia's General Security and armed groups in Jaramana, located in the Damascus countryside.
