Israel launched a series of major airstrikes against Syria after announcing a new policy of “pacifying” the southern portion of the country. In a statement, the Israel Defense Forces said that it had struck several military targets in southern Syria,

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.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, described Syria’s new government as a "jihadist terrorist group from Idlib that took over Damascus by force," reinforcing Israel’s justification for maintaining a strong military posture in the region.

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

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.

Thousands of Syrians rallied across the country to protest Israeli PM Netanyahu’s call for demilitarizing southern Syria, decrying his interference in Syrian sovereignty amid escalating Israeli airstrikes [Damascus] – In a display of national unity,