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 Israeli army said on Wednesday that it had carried out overnight air strikes to the south of Damascus, after Syria's new government called for Israel to withdraw from the southern part of the country.

Israel confirmed it is conducting strikes in southern Syria, as the new Syrian government calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian territory.

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.