Israel launched an offensive in southern Syria to defend the Druze community

The Israeli army launched a series of attacks against military vehicles belonging to the Syrian regime in the As-Suwayda area in southern Syria, after detecting the advance of armored convoys toward the region.

This constitutes a violation of the agreements that prohibit Syrian military presence in that sector near the border with Israel. Meanwhile, operations in Gaza continue.

The offensive was ordered directly by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Minister of Israel Katz. The politicians stated that the deployment of tanks, armored personnel carriers, and multiple rocket launchers in the area represents "a direct threat" and a violation of the current understandings.

In an official statement, both leaders explained that the decision to attack also responds to Israel's moral responsibility to protect the Druze community in Syria: "by virtue of the deep bond of brotherhood with our Druze citizens in Israel and their historical and family ties with the Druze across the border."

The military operation targeted both the vehicles and the access routes used by Syrian forces, in order to hinder their arrival in the area.

The attacks come amid reports of intense clashes between regime forces and members of the Druze community in As-Suwayda.