Israel strikes Syria after pressing for 'demilitarization'
What's the story
Israel warplanes carried out airstrikes on military targets in southern Syria late Tuesday.
The strikes targeted sites in Kiswah, a town south of Damascus, and in Deraa province.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed the attacks, saying that Israel "will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon."
The Israeli military said it struck command centers and weapons storage facilities during the strikes.
Demilitarization demand
Netanyahu calls for demilitarization of southern Syria
Before the airstrikes, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called for southern Syria's demilitarization.
He had voiced concerns over the presence of forces from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) or the new Syrian army south of Damascus.
"We will not allow forces from the HTS organization or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus," Netanyahu had said, demanding "the complete demilitarization of southern Syria, including Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda provinces."
Buffer zone
Israel maintains presence in UN-monitored buffer zone
The assaults occurred as Syria concluded a national dialogue session and issued a statement criticizing Israeli incursions into its land.
The new Syrian government called for the "immediate and immediate and unconditional withdrawal" of Israeli forces from Syria, condemning the presence as a "flagrant violation of the sovereignty of the Syrian state.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor, reported that at least two civilians were killed in the Israeli attacks.
Limited capacity
Netanyahu said troops would stay there 'for an indefinite period'
After the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December, Israeli forces entered a United Nations-monitored buffer zone on the Golan Heights.
Netanyahu said Israeli troops would stay there "for an indefinite period to protect our communities and thwart any threat."
Katz also said last week that IDF troops will stay in some southern Lebanon areas past the date for total withdrawal as outlined in the ceasefire deal with Hezbollah.
This is to "ensure the protection of all Israeli communities."