“We had to act. The Druze community was in grave danger, and no one else was stepping in.” — Israel Katz, Israeli Defense Minister
In the early hours of July 15th, Israeli fighter jets streaked across the sky, launching a wave of airstrikes deep into Syrian territory. The targets included command centers and military installations near Damascus and Sweida. According to Israel, these strikes were launched to protect the embattled Druze population in southern Syria, caught between regime forces and sectarian militias.
But the timing and precision of the attack suggest something more. Is Israel responding to a humanitarian plea—or exploiting a chaotic post-war Syria to extend its reach? 12-Day War
Narrative One: A Shield for the Druze
For centuries, the Druze community has maintained a precarious neutrality in a region marked by shifting allegiances. In Syria’s south, particularly around Suwayda, they’ve long sought autonomy from both Bashar al-Assad’s regime and Islamist insurgents. But as the Syrian Civil War ended and Assad fell, the region has become a hotspot once again.
Israeli officials insist the strikes were a direct response to pleas from Druze leaders.
“They asked for our help—plain and simple,” said Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel’s National Security Advisor, in a briefing to the Knesset. “If we had waited, hundreds more would have died.”
Eyewitness accounts support this claim. Videos shared by Syrian human rights observers show artillery shelling from pro-Iranian militias near Druze villages in Suwayda just days before the airstrikes. Civilians fled north toward the Israeli border.
According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), at least 257 Druze civilians were killed in June alone.
“We are not taking sides in Syria,” Defense Minister Katz reiterated. “We’re protecting lives—just as any moral democracy should.”
Israel also opened its borders to several Druze families with dual Israeli-Syrian citizenship, further signalling its commitment to the community.
Narrative Two: A Calculated Strike for Strategic Dominance
Critics aren’t buying the humanitarian narrative.
“Israel claims to be protecting minorities, but what it’s really doing is carving out influence in southern Syria,” said Amal Al-Hassan, a political scientist at the American University of Beirut.
The new Syrian government—led by interim President Ahmed al‑Sharaa—is still reeling from the political vacuum left by Assad. Al‑Sharaa, a moderate technocrat backed by a coalition of tribal leaders and defectors, has made public commitments to protecting the Druze.
“We are restoring sovereignty to all Syrians,” he said in a televised address. “Foreign actors striking at our capital under the pretext of humanitarianism are undermining peace.”
Yet, multiple sources confirm that Israel hit not just the militias harassing Druze communities but also Syrian military facilities near Umayyad Square—a symbolic heart of Damascus.
“This wasn’t just about Suwayda,” said Mona Yacoubian, a senior advisor at the U.S. Institute of Peace. “It was a message: Israel won’t tolerate a regime in Damascus that threatens its northern border.”
Analysts at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) agree. Their July 2025 report notes that Israel is pursuing a de facto demilitarized zone from the Golan Heights to Sweida, aiming to prevent Iranian-aligned militias from reestablishing themselves.
“This is less about protecting Druze and more about preemptive deterrence,” said one RUSI analyst. “Netanyahu’s government views southern Syria as a buffer that must be controlled.”
The Third Narrative: Syria’s New Government at a Crossroads
President Ahmed al‑Sharaa walks a tightrope. On one hand, he must assert Syria’s territorial sovereignty. On the other, he’s under pressure from international allies to avoid direct confrontation with Israel.
U.S. and Turkish diplomats have reportedly held backchannel meetings with both Jerusalem and Damascus in recent weeks. While no formal normalization is on the table, intelligence-sharing between Israel and some Syrian officials has quietly resumed.
“There are elements in both governments who see value in cooperation—at least temporarily,” said Michael Stephens, a former advisor to the British Foreign Office. “But the longer-term outlook is far from clear.”
Inside Syria, al‑Sharaa’s critics accuse him of weakness.
“If we allow Israel to strike Damascus unchallenged, what next?” asked Majd al-Hakim, a Syrian parliamentarian from Homs. “Are we a sovereign nation or not?”
The Druze community, meanwhile, remains divided. Some welcome Israeli protection, while others fear becoming pawns in a larger geopolitical game.
Key Takeaways
Israel claims moral obligation, but motivations may be strategic.
Syria’s new government must weigh sovereignty against regional stability.
The Druze are caught in the middle—again.
What Happens Next?
Will the current ceasefire in Sweida hold? Will Israel expand its strikes into other parts of Syria? And will Damascus retaliate—or quietly accept Israel’s expanding footprint in the south?
“The real question,” said Yacoubian, “is whether this becomes a new status quo—or the start of another regional conflict.”
Questions this article answers:
Why did Israel strike Syria in July 2025?
Is Israel protecting allies or escalating conflict?
I’m a storyteller at heart with a deep appreciation for nuance, complexity, and the power of perspective. Whether it's global politics, social shifts, or television narratives, I believe every story has at least two sides — and it's up to us to find the one that matters most the 3Narrative.
3 Narratives was born from a simple idea: that people deserve more than echo chambers and outrage. Here, I explore two viewpoints and leave the third — the conclusion — up to you.
When I'm not writing, you’ll find me spending time with my son, diving into thought-provoking shows like Better Call Saul, or chasing the next layered story that can change the way we see the world. My other passions include photography, skiing, sailing, hiking and more important a great conversation with a human being that challenges my own narrative.
📍 Based in North America | 🌍 Writing for a global mindset
