Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu stated on Sunday that Israel has no desire to engage in a conflict with Syria’s new government, although military operations, including airstrikes and territorial measures, will continue.
“We have no interest in a conflict with Syria. We will determine Israeli policy regarding Syria according to the reality on the ground,” he said.
Reflecting on Syria’s history of hostility toward Israel, he remarked, “I recall that for decades Syria was an active enemy state toward Israel. It has attacked us repeatedly.”
Netanyahu also criticized former President Bashar Assad’s alliance with Iran and its proxies, saying, “It allowed others to attack us from its territory. It allowed Iran to arm Hezbollah through its territory.”
His comments followed another night of intense Israeli airstrikes across Syria. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported approximately 473 Israeli airstrikes since Assad’s fall on December 8.
Netanyahu highlighted the scale of the destruction, noting, “Over the course of several days, we have destroyed the capabilities that the Assad regime took decades to build. We have also struck the weapons supply routes through Syria to Hezbollah.”
Netanyahu outlined Israel’s ongoing strategy, explaining that he and Defense Minister Israel Katz had instructed the Israel Defense Forces “to thwart the potential threats from Syria and prevent terrorist elements from taking control close to our border.” This referred to the buffer zone established under the 1974 peace agreement.
He also reaffirmed Israel’s commitment to preventing Hezbollah from rearming. “This is a prolonged test for Israel, which we must meet, and which we will meet,” Netanyahu stated. “I unequivocally declare to Hezbollah and to Iran: In order to prevent you from attacking us, we will continue to take action against you as necessary, in every arena and at all times.”
The prime minister also announced his government’s approval of plans to expand Israeli territory in the Golan Heights, a region captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-day war. Despite international recognition of the area as Syrian territory, Israel annexed the Golan Heights in 1981, and the US recognized Israeli sovereignty there in 2019.
“We will continue to hold onto it, cause it to blossom, and settle in it,” Netanyahu said, emphasizing Israel’s long-term plans for the strategically vital region, which offers a commanding view of Damascus.
(ABC NEWS)
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