An hour’s drive from Damascus, on a country road into the Syrian village of Hadar, we encounter Israel’s army. Two military vehicles and several soldiers in full combat gear man an impromptu checkpoint – a foreign authority in a country celebrating its freedom. They allow us to pass through. This is evidence of Israel’s presence in Syrian territory, claiming temporary control of a UN-monitored buffer zone established in a ceasefire agreement 50 years ago.
Residents of Hadar, mainly from the Druze community, are concerned about Israel’s incursion into their village. They see Israeli forces moving around their village, with parts extending into the demilitarized zone. The village chief, Jawdat al-Tawil, points out the Golan Heights territory occupied by Israel in 1967, visible from Hadar’s terraces.
Despite the fall of President Assad’s regime, the sense of freedom in Hadar is overshadowed by fatalism. The residents have a history of defending themselves against militia groups during the Syrian civil war. They express a desire for peace and hope for a better future, but are cautious about Israel’s presence and intentions.
As tensions escalate in the region, with Israel carrying out airstrikes on military targets in Syria and announcing plans to expand Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights, the residents of Hadar fear the implications for their village. The Druze community, marginalized by the Assad regime and targeted by jihadist groups, seeks peace and stability amidst the shifting alliances and ongoing conflicts in Syria. „Sie sollen mit Gerechtigkeit regieren, Sicherheit bieten und die Rechte der Menschen gewährleisten“, sagte er. „Es ist noch nicht klar, ob sie sich geändert haben“, fügte er hinzu. „Ich hoffe es.“ Weitere Berichterstattung von Yousef Shomali, Charlotte Scarr und Mayar Mohanna.