Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not allow Syria’s new army or the insurgent group that led the ouster of former President Bashar Assad to “enter the area south of Damascus” as his government made clear Israeli forces would stay in parts of southern Syria for an indefinite period.

Syrians have taken to the streets in southern Syria to protest over Israel’s expansion into the country and its prime minister’s statements that Syria's armed forces cannot move south of the capital.

The IDF has evacuated about 40,000 Palestinians from the northern West Bank since January 21, the most in decades, Defense Minister Israel Katz said Sunday. It was a stunning admission given that the IDF has repeatedly denied reports attesting to that by The New York Times and CNN in recent weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asserts Israel's commitment to keeping forces in southern Syria to prevent insurgent groups and the new Syrian army from entering regions near Damascus. Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasizes the strategic importance of maintaining positions on Mt.

Netanyahu has demanded the ‘full demilitarisation’ of southern Syria, where Israel has illegally expanded its forces. ​​​ Tel Aviv, February 23 (RHC)-- Israel will not allow the new Syrian government’s military forces to operate in territory south of Syria’s capital Damascus, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has warned.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not allow Syria's new army or the insurgent group that led the ouster of former President Bashar Assad to enter the area south of Damascus.

In an address Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Syria’s new rulers should demilitarize the Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda provinces.

Israel's PM said it would not allow the forces of HTS or the new Syrian army "enter the area south of Damascus".

Israel won’t allow forces of the new Syrian administration to enter territory south of Damascus, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday, lifting the veil on Israel’s long-term plans for its northern neighbor after the fall of the Bashar Al-Assad regime.