As part of their first deployment to Syria, troops from the Hasmonean Brigade carried out surveillance missions, gathering vital intelligence to prevent terrorism from taking root in the volatile region.
Throughout 2025, the IDF fought terror on its borders, including a direct war with Iran that crippled its ballistic and nuclear capabilities and secured the return of all but one hostage from Gaza.
After more than 100 days in southern Syria, the Spearhead Brigade (55) completed dozens of operations securing the Golan Heights, confiscating heavy weapons and ammunition, and eliminating dozens of terrorists.
The IDF has become one of the first militaries in the world to deploy weaponized ground robots in live combat.
The IDF reports a sharp rise in enlistment from the Golan Druze, with more than 400 joining in the past year alone.
During an operation in southern Syria, IDF forces arrested three Jama’a Islami suspects, were ambushed by terrorists, and managed to escape while eliminating several attackers.
The troops expressed strong resolve to continue their deployment, with some noting they were already on a sixth rotation.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, accompanied by other defense officials, toured the buffer zone on the Syrian border, responded to questions from stationed IDF soldiers, and spoke with regional commanders.
In 2025 alone, IDF forces uncovered over 40 smuggling attempts along the northern border.
Syrian children were seen laughing and smiling with IDF soldiers securing the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon region after the fall of the Assad regime in Damascus.
Katz added that Israel will maintain its protective efforts for Syrian Druze communities.
Israel’s military doctrine under Zamir is shifting toward long-term strategic containment of Iran.
Over 80% of Druze men enlist in the IDF.
Syria’s reliance on jihadist groups that could be used against Israel is a red flag.
Some 262 Druze civilians were recently massacred in Syria.
Videos circulated on social media showed pro-regime fighters forcibly shaving the moustaches of captured Druze militiamen, Druze clerics, and even the corpses of Druze men.
The IDF continues to counter emerging threats along Israel’s borders, applying hard-earned lessons from over two years of war—addressing dangers in real time rather than allowing them to fester.
Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December.
IDF forces from the ‘Mountains’ Brigade (810), operating under Division 210, demolished key Syrian regime outposts along the Hermon crest—eliminating direct threats to Israeli positions and stepping up proactive operations to secure the Golan Heights.
In addition, during the operation, Israeli forces discovered weapons in the area where the terrorists were apprehended, including several firearms and grenades.
