Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 17 July reaffirmed what he called two non-negotiable “red lines” for Syria: the area stretching south of Damascus, from the Golan Heights to Jabal al-Druze, must remain demilitarised, and the Druze population there must be protected. Netanyahu said the Syrian government had violated both conditions by deploying troops into the zone and carrying out attacks on Druze civilians. Netanyahu stated that he ordered the Israel Defense Forces to carry out extensive strikes against Syrian military assets—including militias, armoured vehicles and the Defence Ministry in Damascus—after the alleged violations. According to the prime minister, the operation forced Syrian units to withdraw and produced a ceasefire in the southern province of Sweida. “It is a ceasefire obtained by force, not by pleas,” he said in a recorded address. The Israeli leader vowed to continue military action if Syrian forces again cross the demilitarised area or threaten the Druze community, declaring that no Syrian troops would be allowed to “descend south of Damascus.” His remarks signal Israel’s readiness to maintain direct pressure on the Assad government as it seeks to keep hostile forces away from its northern frontier.