Syrian Protests: Death of Disabled Man Sparks Nationwide Rally Against Israeli Troops

Tensions between Syria and Israel have intensified following a series of military operations in the southern provinces. On Friday, crowds gathered in multiple cities to protest these incursions, a move that marked a visible escalation in public dissent since the change in government last year.

State media reported that rallies took place in the capital, Damascus, and in Homs, located in central Syria. In the city of Daraa, an AFP correspondent observed hundreds of participants, some waving Syrian flags. Protesters aimed to project a united front against foreign military presence in the region.

Taysir al-Hariri, a protester in Daraa, told AFP that the crowds wished to send a message to the world. He stated that Syria stands united against Israeli incursions and against anyone who is tempted to tamper with national security. Footage from state television showed marchers carrying posters with the slogan "We are all Moaz."

The slogan references Moaz, a man with special needs whom Syrian officials say was killed by Israeli fire. According to the state narrative, he died during an incursion in Daraa province earlier this week. His death served as a focal point for the demonstrations, drawing specific attention to the impact of recent strikes on civilians.

Outside a United Nations building in Damascus, the family of another Syrian man detained by Israel called for his release. Children in the crowd held up posters reading "I want my dad." This display highlighted the personal stakes of the ongoing conflict for families separated by the border.

State media also confirmed that Israeli forces advanced into part of Quneitra province on Friday. They blocked several roads, bulldozed olive groves, set up checkpoints, and detained residents. These actions occurred as part of a broader pattern of activity in the area.

Since the new Syrian government took power in December 2024 after toppling Bashar al-Assad, the Israeli military has conducted hundreds of strikes and frequent incursions. Troops also entered a UN-patrolled buffer zone that had separated the two militaries on the Golan Heights since 1974. Israel has stated it will maintain troops in a "security zone" in southern Syria while seeking a larger demilitarized area.