The Golan and Druze: Syria-Israel Dispute

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00:00Indirect talks between Syria and Israel are facing a set of sensitive, contentious issues.

00:07At the forefront of these disputes are the Golan Heights and the status of the Druze community.

00:13Damascus is demanding an end to what it describes as

00:17Israeli support for Druze communities in southern Syria and around the capital, Damascus.

00:24At the same time, statements by Druze leader Hikmat al-Hijri have sparked wide controversy

00:32after he called for an independent entity separate from Damascus that would be allied with Israel.

00:39According to what Yedioth Aronoth reported, citing Israeli sources,

00:44the understandings under discussion include Israel's withdrawal from nine strategic military positions

00:51it seized in the Golan Heights and Mount Hermon in exchange for security guarantees from Damascus

00:57to control the border and prevent future threats.

01:02On the other hand, the Israeli army warns that any restrictions on its military operations inside Syria

01:09could allow Hezbollah's influence to grow

01:12and enable the reopening of armed smuggling routes from Iran and Iraq to the group through Syrian territory.

01:19These complex discussions come at a time of mounting pressure from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump

01:27on both Israel and Syria, aimed at pushing the two sides toward a security understanding.