The demand is putting the new government in a bind, forcing it to choose between confronting a much stronger Israel or surrendering control of some of its territory.

The attacks in southern Syria are part of a new policy aimed at protecting what Israel calls its “security zone” in the region. Syria’s new government has condemned that policy.

Syria's new interim President, HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa, has tried to reassure Israel that he does not want conflict and that he is ready to uphold the long-standing disengagement agreement between the two countries concluded after another war in 1973.

Israeli warplanes late Tuesday struck military sites in southern Syria, the Israel Defense Forces said, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to demilitarize the border region.

Israel carried out airstrikes late Tuesday on several locations in the Damascus countryside and Daraa province in southern Syria. Israeli warplanes targeted the Al-Kiswah area south of Damascus and Izraa in Daraa with at least four airstrikes, according to an Anadolu correspondent.

Israel's PM said it would not allow the forces of HTS or the new Syrian army "enter the area south of Damascus".

The Israeli army has reported carrying out air raids on military facilities in southern Syria. Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized that these actions aim to prevent these areas from being taken over by the new Syrian government or terrorist organizations.

There may be a window of opportunity for better ties with Syria, however it seems the new policy in Jerusalem may close that window.