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Israeli Diaspora Affairs Minister Amichai Chikli on Tuesday publicly called for the assassination of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, following recent violent clashes in southern Syria.
In a statement posted to his X account, Chikli equated Syria’s transitional government with the Palestinian militant group Hamas.
“If it looks like Hamas, talks like Hamas, and acts like Hamas, it is Hamas,” Chikli wrote.
He went on to describe the Syrian administration as a "caliphate" and added, “Anyone who thinks Ahmad al-Sharaa is a legitimate leader is gravely mistaken; this is a terrorist, a barbaric murderer who should be eliminated now.”
Bashar al-Assad, Syria’s longtime regime leader, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party’s rule that began in 1963. A transitional administration led by al-Sharaa was formed in January..
Violent confrontations erupted in the southern province of Sweida two days ago after Druze groups reportedly seized vehicles belonging to Bedouin Arab tribes.
The situation escalated when both sides allegedly kidnapped and detained several civilians, resulting in at least 30 deaths and 100 injuries, according to local sources.
In response, Syria’s Defense and Interior Ministries deployed significant military reinforcements to the region in an attempt to restore order.
However, attacks on convoys belonging to both ministries left 18 soldiers dead and 9 others taken hostage.
Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz defended Israel’s subsequent military actions, stating, “We will not allow harm to come to the Druze. Israel will not stand by.”
Following Katz’s remarks, Israel conducted five airstrikes near Syrian Defense and Interior Ministry convoys positioned around the Sweida province.
Earlier Tuesday, Syrian Defense Minister Maj. Gen. Merhef Abu Kasra announced that a ceasefire had been declared in Sweida.
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