Netanyahu Wants Syria To Create A Demilitarized Supporting Zone In Golan

PM Netanyahu (black glasses) visited Israeli troops in southern Syria. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday said Israel expects Syria to build a demilitarized corridor extending from Damascus to the occupied Golan Heights.

Netanyahu made the remarks after visiting Israeli soldiers who were injured by gunfire in southern Syria during an Israeli attack on the Beit Jinn region, which killed 13 Syrians, according to a statement from Netanyahu's office.

"The hope from Syria is to build a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer zone, including of course access to Mount Hermon (Jabal al-Sheikh) and the Hermon summit," according to the statement, reported Anadolu (3/12).

He further claimed Israel would defend these territories "to ensure the security of Israeli citizens, and that is our obligation," referring to Israel's seizure of Syria's buffer zone last year.

"With good intentions and understanding of these principles, reaching an agreement with Syria is also possible, but we will stick to our principles in any situation," he said.

There has been no immediate comment from the Syrian authorities regarding PM Netanyahu's statement.

Earlier, United States President Donald Trump on Monday warned Israel not to interfere with Syria's stability, shortly before having a telephone conversation with Netanyahu.

"It is very important for Israel to maintain a strong and honest dialogue with Syria, and nothing will happen that will disrupt Syria's development into a prosperous country," President Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

President Trump praised Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, saying he "worked diligently" to ensure "good things happen" for both countries.

"This is a historic opportunity for peace in the Middle East," he said.

It is known, after the fall of the Bashar Assad regime in late 2024, Israel expanded its occupation in the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, a move that violated the 1974 Release Agreement with Syria.