In recent weeks, a fierce drama has been unfolding to the north of Israel’s northern border in Syria. The Druze communities in southern Syria — located just tens of kilometers from the Israeli Golan Heights — have experienced increased tensions with forces aligned with the Ahmed Al-Shara regime in Syria.
For Israel, whose own Druze population is deeply integrated into its national and defense fabric, standing aside was not an option.
Why did Israel intervene?
Because they asked — and because of a deep bond. Approximately 150,000 Druze live in Israel, including those in the Golan. Unlike many minority groups, the Druze have consistently demonstrated loyalty to the state. Their sons serve in the IDF as part of the mandatory draft, side by side with Jewish soldiers. Ignoring their plea was never on the table.
But beyond the moral imperative lies a strategic interest. When minority groups near the border weaken, they often become clients of hostile jihadist forces like those affiliated with the new Syrian regime.
Recent clashes between Druze fighters and Al-Shara’s militants underline the risk. While no massacre has yet occurred, the danger remains very real.
Israel’s response was clear and calculated. Messages were delivered through various channels, including targeted airstrikes near the Syrian Presidential Palace in Damascus and direct hits on Al-Shara’s operational capabilities. These actions served both immediate and broader regional purposes.
Syria’s landscape is fragmented by militias. Even when they nominally join the official Syrian military, they rarely disarm completely. The Druze understand this reality — and so does Israel. Leaving the Druze of Syria defenseless was not an option, especially given Israel’s hard-learned lesson from the October 7, 2023 massacre: allowing a jihadist monster to grow unchecked at the border is unacceptable.
Today, while most Druze villages sit dozens of kilometers from Israel, their stability remains critical. Protecting them is not just humanitarian — it’s a national security imperative for safeguarding the Golan and its communities.
There is broad consensus in Israel that preventing a massacre of the Druze in Syria is essential. How best to do so remains debated — airstrikes, humanitarian aid, and other forms of support are all on the table. For now, the situation has calmed, but Israel remains vigilant, prepared to act if tensions flare once more.
