In June, Israeli forces attempting to advance into the small farming village of Abedin in southern Syria were met with resistance from local residents who threw rocks and placed large boulders in the path of the armored vehicles. Witnesses say that dozens of villagers, including children, took part in the protest, seeking to prevent what they described as the militarization of their community. According to Khaled el Dakhlala, a 32-year-old resident involved in the confrontation, Israeli troops responded with warning shots before dispersing the crowd.
These clashes are part of a broader pattern of Israeli incursions into southern Syria that have raised concerns over regional stability. Since the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 and the subsequent weakening of central authority, the southern region has seen a surge in violence, including sectarian and vigilante outbreaks. Analysts warn that the growing unrest and local pushback against Israeli operations could complicate diplomatic efforts between Damascus and Jerusalem.
Following the collapse of the Assad government, Israel launched extensive aerial bombardments that reportedly degraded around 80 percent of Syria’s military capabilities. Israeli forces have occupied the demilitarized buffer zone established by the United Nations in 1974, with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu declaring prior territorial agreements null in light of Syria’s political changes. Israel has also increased its military activity across Syrian territory, conducting raids and attempting to formalize settler outposts in areas beyond the internationally recognized borders, drawing criticism from human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, which has called for investigations into alleged war crimes.
The Israeli government frames these operations as preemptive counterterrorism efforts targeting groups connected to Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias. It also justifies some actions as protective measures for Syria’s Druze minority, which it considers linked to Israel’s own Druze community. Defense Minister Israel Katz has indicated that Israeli forces will maintain a presence in Syria for an indefinite period.
Despite ongoing hostilities, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa disclosed in a recent interview that Damascus and Israel are engaged in negotiations aimed at a security agreement, with hopes for a comprehensive peace deal. Some experts suggest, however, that the continuation of Israeli military pressure may serve to strengthen Israel’s leverage in these discussions.
The incident in Abedin escalated when Israeli troops, withdrawing from the village, shelled its outskirts, resulting in the displacement of hundreds of families. Local leader Jamal el Abrahim reported that approximately half the population fled to nearby settlements, although no casualties were recorded. Reports describe the use of drones and helicopter-mounted machine guns during the shelling.
Similar confrontations elsewhere in southern Syria have resulted in fatalities. In November 2025, an Israeli raid on Beit Jinn left at least 13 dead, including two children, and dozens injured following an exchange between Israeli soldiers and local residents. The Syrian government condemned the attack as a war crime. Survivors such as 85-year-old Qasem Hamada have recounted the loss of multiple family members and described ongoing Israeli military restrictions and operations in the village that have contributed to deepening resentment.
Observers note that while Syria’s fragmented government is constrained in its response, Israel’s continued military presence and advances risk exacerbating tensions and undermining prospects for long-term peace in the region.