Netanyahu Tours Syrian Buffer Zone, Reaffirms Israeli Military Presence

Overview

• Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Israeli-held positions in southern Syria with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Shin Bet Director David Zini.
• During the trip, he inspected an IDF forward post, reviewed the terrain, held a security meeting and met troops, praising their wartime performance.
• Netanyahu said maintaining forces in the area is crucial for Israel’s northern border security and for protecting allied Druze communities.
• Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reports negotiations led by the United States have reached an impasse, with Syria’s transitional president Ahmed ash‑Sharaa seeking a full Israeli withdrawal and Israel insisting on a comprehensive peace deal first.
• Russia’s UN envoy Vasily Nebenzya condemned Israel’s buffer-zone actions as violations of international law and urged adherence to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement.