Amid ongoing conflict with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asserted that Israel is in a fight for its survival, aiming to significantly alter the Middle Eastern political landscape.

Indirect talks have taken place between Israel and Syria's interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, although Israeli diplomats have not publicly commented on these discussions.

On May 3, 2025, Netanyahu emphasized that Israel would not tolerate threats to the Druze community, indicating a military stance against forces near Damascus.

Israel's military actions in Syria, including strikes near Damascus, are framed as efforts to protect the Druze minority, which some view as a justification for its ongoing occupation.

Since the 1967 war, Israel has maintained control over the Golan Heights and has conducted numerous military strikes in Syria to prevent weapon transfers to the Syrian government.

Druze in Israel have shown loyalty to the state, actively participating in the military, which influences Israel's support for the Druze in Syria.

Israel's support for the Druze is also perceived as a strategy to counter Turkey's influence in Syria and to protect minority groups from the Sunni majority.

Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at King's College London, argues that Israel's motivations in Syria are not altruistic, but rather serve as a pretext for maintaining its military presence.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has indicated that Israel's strategic goals extend beyond just protecting the Druze, suggesting a vision that includes dismantling Syria.

The Druze community, which has around 152,000 members in Israel, includes a significant number residing in the Golan Heights, where they lack full citizenship rights.

Recent clashes in early May 2025 resulted in 126 deaths in Druze and Christian areas, prompting local leaders to call for international protection and reaffirm their ties to Syria.

In 2015, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar proposed the idea of dividing Syria into ethno-religious entities, including establishing 'Druze autonomy' in southern Syria.