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Israeli forces raid southern Syria as Netanyahu rejects withdrawal push

A view of Israeli military vehicles patrolling the Syrian-Israeli border in the Majdal Shams area of the Golan Heights, as the Israeli army reinforces its ground forces amid ongoing military mobilization in the region, Dec. 15, 2024. (AA Photo)
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A view of Israeli military vehicles patrolling the Syrian-Israeli border in the Majdal Shams area of the Golan Heights, as the Israeli army reinforces its ground forces amid ongoing military mobilization in the region, Dec. 15, 2024. (AA Photo)
July 27, 2026 09:41 AM GMT+03:00

Israeli forces raided civilian homes in southern Syria on Monday, a day after another incursion in Quneitra province led to the detention of a civilian, as Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to reject U.S. President Donald Trump’s demand for Israeli withdrawals from Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

Israeli forces entered the village of Al-Ardah in the western countryside of Syria’s Daraa province and searched several civilian homes, Syria’s Alikhbariah TV reported.

The operation was accompanied by heavy gunfire, the broadcaster said. No casualties or arrests were reported, and the Israeli military did not immediately comment.

The raid followed Israeli military movements Sunday in the neighboring provinces of Quneitra and Daraa.

The Syrian flag flies at the Umayyad Square in Damascus on July 22, 2026, with Mount Qasioun pictured in the background. (AFP Photo)
The Syrian flag flies at the Umayyad Square in Damascus on July 22, 2026, with Mount Qasioun pictured in the background. (AFP Photo)

Israeli forces detain civilian in Quneitra incursion

Several Israeli military vehicles entered Western Samdaniyah village in northern Quneitra on Sunday, according to Syria’s state news agency SANA.

The forces raided a home, detained a civilian and later withdrew from the area, the agency said.

In Daraa province, Israeli forces advanced before dawn toward the villages of Maariyah and Al-Ardah in the Yarmouk Basin area, according to Alikhbariah TV.

Syrian media also reported Israeli artillery shelling near Tarnajah in the Quneitra countryside.

There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military on the reported incursions, raid or detention.

Southern Syria has experienced recurring Israeli incursions and attacks for months, including raids, searches, arrests and the establishment of military checkpoints.

The operations intensified after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024, when Israel declared that the 1974 disengagement agreement had collapsed and seized control of the Syrian buffer zone.

Netanyahu reportedly vows to reject Trump withdrawal request

Netanyahu is expected to reject Trump’s demand that Israeli forces withdraw from areas they occupy in southern Syria, southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, Israel’s Channel 13 reported.

The broadcaster said Netanyahu discussed the U.S. request during a weekly Cabinet meeting held before he departed for Washington.

“I will strongly oppose this and tell them no,” Netanyahu reportedly told Cabinet members.

The report said Israel had approved the entry of an International Stabilization Force, or ISF, into the Gaza Strip, where Trump is seeking an Israeli military withdrawal.

Sources who spoke to Channel 13 said Israel maintains that its military will continue controlling the Yellow Line until Hamas is fully disarmed and removed from Gaza.

They said Israel would not withdraw before those conditions were met.

At this stage, the ISF includes about 200 representatives from countries considered friendly to Israel, including Uganda and Morocco, the sources said.

The Israeli Cabinet approved granting the force immunity under legislation governing immunities for international organizations.

The personnel would operate in areas outside Israeli military control and in full coordination with the Israeli army, according to the report.

An Israeli official said the entry of any ISF member would require separate approval from the prime minister, defense minister and foreign minister.

“Israel will select which countries may send forces only from states with which we have peace agreements and which do not act internationally against the country or its officials,” the official said.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandon airport in East Jerusalem near the separation wall with the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, July 5, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a cornerstone laying ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at an abandon airport in East Jerusalem near the separation wall with the Israeli occupied West Bank city of Ramallah, July 5, 2026. (AFP Photo)

US pressure reported ahead of Trump meeting

Although a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on Oct. 10, 2025, Israel has continued its attacks, destruction and blockade.

Israel occupies about 70% of the Gaza Strip and has confined Palestinians to an area covering no more than 30% of the territory.

Recent media reports have said Washington is pressing Israel to withdraw from areas it occupies in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza.

Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump in Washington on Tuesday.

July 27, 2026 09:41 AM GMT+03:00
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