Syrian Regime, Allies Mobilize in 'Death Triangle'

Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP
Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP
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Syrian Regime, Allies Mobilize in 'Death Triangle'

Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP
Rebel fighter in Daraa. File Photo/AFP

Syrian regime forces and their allies mobilized on Sunday in the “death triangle” that lies between Daraa, Quneitra and Damascus, ahead of a battle to recuperate the strategic areas on the frontiers of the de-escalation zones between Damascus and the Jordanian borders and at the disengagement line in the occupied Golan Heights.

Opposition sources told Asharq Al-Awsat there are little chances that regime forces could produce any breach in the “death triangle,” asserting that the factions “are ready, and have the advantage in the area, because of their positioning on the top of the hills and mountains, particularly in the strategic Tal al-Hara.”

The sources said that the “death triangle” is the geographical area that links north Daraa with east Quneitra and the south of Damascus’ western suburbs.

They added that regime forces and their allied militias have tried in vain to control Tal al-Hara.

Leader of Moataz Bellah army in the southern front Lieutnant Bara’ Nabolsi told Asharq Al-Awsat that “reaching al-Hara is impossible.”

He said a long distance separates al-Hara from the first line of contact with regime forces.

Nabolsi said regime forces were spreading false rumors about a possibility to reach the hills as part of their propaganda to boost the morale of the Syrian soldiers who have repeatedly failed to reach the area.

Meanwhile, another section of a video spread on social media websites Sunday showing two members from “Saraya al-Islam” in southern Lebanon. The group is part of Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces.

The video came amid a wave of anger in Lebanon sparked by a video released on Saturday, showing leader of the Iraqi paramilitary group Asaib Ahl al-Haq, Qais al-Khazaali, on the Lebanese-Israeli border.

Al-Khazaali declared his readiness “to stand united with the Lebanese people and the Palestinian cause.”

A “Future Movement” representative from Lebanon’s cabinet called on Labor Minister Mohammed Kabbara to arrest al-Khazaali and prosecute him for “violating the Lebanese sovereignty.”



Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will likely have a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to release more Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian group. 

Netanyahu said 50 hostages were still being held captive by Hamas. Of that figure, he said, only 20 are believed to be alive. 

"I want to take them all out. We now have a deal that supposedly will get half of the living and half of the dead out," Netanyahu said in an interview on Newsmax show "The Record with Greta Van Susteren" that aired on Thursday. 

"And so we'll have 10 living left and about 12 deceased hostages, but I'll get them out, too. I hope we can complete it in a few days." 

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliation has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says, and reduced much of Gaza to rubble. 

The two sides have had two ceasefires - one in November 2023 and another in January 2025- since the fighting started. 

Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas will likely have a 60-day ceasefire, which the two sides could use to try to end the conflict. 

Hamas said on Wednesday there were several sticking points in the ongoing ceasefire talks including the flow of aid, withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and "genuine guarantees for a permanent ceasefire." 

Netanyahu's interview with Newsmax comes as he wraps his third visit to Washington since President Donald Trump took office in January. 

Speaking of Trump, the Israeli leader said his country has never had "such a friend, such a support of Israel, the Jewish state in the White House." 

Last month, the US joined Israel in striking Iran, a move that Trump has said "obliterated" three of Iran's nuclear sites. 

When asked about a damage assessment, Netanyahu said, "Within months, they could have produced atomic bombs."