Israeli journalist Ariel Kahana has revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is actively working to expand the occupation’s borders in southern Syria, stating that Israel has begun implementing a unilateral disarmament policy in the region.
On Tuesday night, the Israeli occupation army launched airstrikes on Syrian territory, specifically targeting areas around Al-Kiswah, south of Damascus. Simultaneously, Israeli ground forces advanced across multiple axes in Quneitra and Daraa.
In an article published in the Hebrew newspaper Israel Hayom, Kahana wrote:
“Effectively, a region has been established under Israeli civilian and security influence, meaning that the Israeli-Syrian borders—set according to the 1974 ceasefire agreements—have disappeared.”
Silent Expansion and Israeli Aggression
Kahana emphasised that these territorial changes are occurring without an official announcement, referencing Israel’s ongoing aggression in Syria and its refusal to recognise the new government in Damascus.
On Tuesday night, an Israeli army spokesperson confirmed that the military targeted several locations in southern Syria, including military bases and weapons storage facilities. The occupation justified its assault by claiming that the presence of these facilities posed a threat to Israeli citizens.
Israel’s New Military Policy in Southern Syria
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz reinforced this aggressive stance, stating:
“The Air Force launched powerful strikes in southern Syria as part of our new disarmament policy in the region. The message is clear: We will not allow southern Syria to become another southern Lebanon.”
The Hebrew newspaper also reported that Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the West Bank, Major General Ghassan Alian, held a meeting with village leaders in southern Syria to discuss future arrangements. According to the report, some Syrian residents may soon begin working inside Israel.
Israel’s Fear of Regional Actors
According to Kahana, the Israeli occupation is working to establish a demilitarised zone in southern Syria to prevent the growth of what it calls “jihadist groups” that might operate against it. However, Israel is also concerned about Turkey and its allied militias, fearing that Turkish-backed forces or even Turkish military personnel may establish a presence in the region. This fear has driven Israel to take preemptive measures to secure its control over the area.
Redrawing Borders: A Continuing Expansionist Agenda
Kahana concluded his article by asserting that:
“Israel’s borders are changing, and it seems this transformation will continue indefinitely.”
This revelation comes just days after Netanyahu issued direct threats to southern Syria, demanding that the newly formed Syrian army not be deployed in the provinces of Suwayda, Daraa, and Quneitra.
Syrian Public Rejects Israeli Influence
On Sunday, during a press conference, Netanyahu declared that Israel would insist on the disarmament of the Syrian army in the south and would not tolerate any perceived threats to the Druze community. He further demanded that all military forces of the new Syrian government withdraw completely from southern Syria.
In response, mass demonstrations erupted across southern Syria, rejecting Israeli interference, partition attempts, or any form of division. Protesters carried signs written in Hebrew and Arabic, with slogans such as “No to federalism”, “No to Israeli incursions”, and “Withdraw from occupied Golan.”
