Lazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visits IDF troops in Syria, joined by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Shin Bet Director David Zini, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yehiel Leiter, and other senior IDF officers, November 19, 2025 (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
Israel’s presence inside of Syria is of “immense importance,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells troops during a visit to an outpost in the IDF-held buffer zone there.
“We attach immense importance to our capability here, both defensive and offensive, safeguarding our Druze allies, and especially safeguarding Israel and its northern border opposite the Golan Heights,” he says. “This is a mission that can develop at any moment, but we are counting on you.”
Netanyahu’s visit was meant to thank the troops serving there, the Prime Minister’s Office tells The Times of Israel.
“They really appreciated the visit,” says a PMO official. “There are soldiers there on their sixth round. They said they want to continue, and they want to continue getting all the borders safe.”
Netanyahu “met with active-duty and reserve soldiers, praised their actions during the war and their efforts to maintain security in the area, and answered their questions,” says the PMO.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (pictured) visits IDF troops in southern Syria, accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, Shin Bet Director David Zini, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yehiel Leiter, and other senior IDF officers, November 19, 2025. (Kobi Gideon/GPO)
Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, and Shin Bet head David Zini also joined Netanyahu for the visit to the IDF post.
They were also joined by acting National Security Council chief Gil Reich, Israeli Ambassador to the US Yehiel Leiter, Northern Command head Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo, Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories Maj. Gen. Ghassan Alian, and 210th Division Commander Brig. Gen. Yair Peli.
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