Israeli Forces to Remain in Syria, Netanyahu Says

The Israeli prime minister called for the demilitarization of Syria south of Damascus and said it won’t tolerate hostile forces there.

Graduates of Syria's General Security forces under the country's new administration attend a ceremony in the northern city of Aleppo on February 12, 2025. Photo by Aaref Watad/AFP via Getty Images.

The Israeli army plans on staying in southern Syria indefinitely and wants the area south of Damascus demilitarized, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.

“Take note: we will not allow HTS forces or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus,” he said at a military graduation on Feb. 23, referring to the new Syrian government and the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham terrorist group that led the toppling of the Assad regime.