Overview

• Israeli airstrikes hit military targets in southern Syria, including sites near Damascus and in Daraa province, as part of a new policy to 'pacify' the region.
• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the demilitarization of southern Syria, vowing to prevent threats from the new Syrian government or militant groups like Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
• Syria's new government, led by former Islamist rebels, has condemned the incursions as violations of sovereignty but lacks the military capacity to respond effectively.
• The Israeli military has stationed troops in a U.N.-monitored buffer zone and beyond, a move criticized by the U.N. and regional actors like Iran and Turkey.
• The strikes and continued Israeli presence complicate Syria's political transition and provoke protests, while Israel maintains its actions are necessary for national security.