Israel sends humanitarian aid packages to Druze community in southern Syria

The Druze population in Israel is estimated to be around 150,000, making up about 2% of the nation's total population. They primarily reside in the Galilee region and the Golan Heights. Although Druze citizens are not required to serve in the military, many choose to do so, viewing it as an honor to serve alongside both Jewish and Arab Israelis in support of Israel. Some have even reached senior ranks within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

In a show of solidarity with the Druze community in Syria, the Israeli government has carried out an operation over the past few weeks, delivering "10,000 packages of humanitarian aid to the Druze community in the battle areas of Syria," according to a statement from the Israeli Foreign Ministry.

The packages contained essential items, such as oil, flour, salt and sugar.

The Druze are an Arab minority found in Syria, Israel, the Golan Heights, and Lebanon, following a faith that emerged from Islam but has since developed into a distinct religious identity.

Last August, the Druze community in Majdal Shams endured profound loss when a rocket, fired from Lebanon by the Hezbollah terror group, struck a soccer field, tragically killing 12 children and teenagers. In response, many Jewish communities expressed solidarity by flying Druze flags and displaying signs of condolence to the families of the victims.

Since the removal of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in early December, Israeli officials have expressed strong mistrust towards the new Syrian government under President Ahmad al-Shara, labeling his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) movement as a jihadist group. While HTS was once linked to the extremist organization Al-Qaeda, it has since distanced itself from that affiliation.

Given the strong relationship the Druze community has with Israel, the Jewish state has advocated for the protection of the rights of Syrian minority groups, including Druze.

This week, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Syrian Druze would be permitted to enter and work in the Golan Heights.

Additionally, members of the Druze community in Syria have reported that “a delegation of around 100 prominent figures is expected to visit the Golan Heights on Friday.”