The demand is putting the new government in a bind, forcing it to choose between confronting a much stronger Israel or surrendering control of some of its territory.

The attacks in southern Syria are part of a new policy aimed at protecting what Israel calls its “security zone” in the region. Syria’s new government has condemned that policy.

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

Israeli warplanes late Tuesday struck military sites in southern Syria, the Israel Defense Forces said, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to demilitarize the border region.

Israel carried out airstrikes late Tuesday on several locations in the Damascus countryside and Daraa province in southern Syria. Israeli warplanes targeted the Al-Kiswah area south of Damascus and Izraa in Daraa with at least four airstrikes, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

Israel confirmed it is conducting strikes in southern Syria, as the new Syrian government calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has demanded the complete demilitarisation of much of southern Syria. It is an announcement that could make conflict between Israel and the new leadership in Syria,

Thousands of Syrians rallied across the country to protest Israeli PM Netanyahu’s call for demilitarizing southern Syria, decrying his interference in Syrian sovereignty amid escalating Israeli airstrikes [Damascus] – In a display of national unity,