Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not allow Syria’s new army or the insurgent group that led the ouster of former President Bashar Assad to “enter the area south of Damascus” as his government made clear Israeli forces would stay in parts of southern Syria for an indefinite period.

In an address Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Syria’s new rulers should demilitarize the Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda provinces.

Syrians staged protests on Monday against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's call for the demilitarization of southern Syria. "No to Israeli incursion" and "Southern Syria is part of free Syria" read banners waved by scores of Syrian protesters in Quneitra province, according to videos shared on social media.

Israel's PM said it would not allow the forces of HTS or the new Syrian army "enter the area south of Damascus".

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly called for the demilitarization of areas south of the Syrian capital Damascus. Netanyahu told graduating officer cadets he wanted the provinces of Kuneitra,

Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has issued a warning to Syria's new leadership against deploying military forces in southern Damascus. The warning escalates tensions as Israel remains concerned about security threats near its border.