Israel Allows Syrian Druze Workers Into Golan Heights Amid Tensions

Israel's Defence Ministry plans to allow Syrian Druze workers into the Golan Heights, though it hasn't specified when permits will be issued. Home to Druze communities, the Golan Heights, annexed by Israel in 1981, remains disputed territory. Israel continues to conduct strikes in Syria to prevent weapon stockpile use by rebel groups.

In a recent development, Israel's Defence Ministry announced its decision to permit the entry of Syrian Druze workers into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. However, the specific timeline for issuing permits remains undisclosed.

The region, which Israel captured from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed in 1981, is home to 24,000 Druze. This Arab minority, practicing an Islamic offshoot, also resides in Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, and Syria. Despite U.S. recognition of the area as Israeli territory, most of the international community views it as occupied.

Many Syrian Druze continue to show loyalty to the regime of the deposed President Bashar al-Assad. Given Israel's concerns over Syria's leadership and its threats, the Israeli government is committed to safeguarding minorities, including the Druze, in the region. As part of its security strategy, Israel has conducted numerous strikes targeting Syrian weapons stockpiles and military infrastructure to prevent their use by radical groups linked to al Qaeda and Islamic State.

(With inputs from agencies.)