Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that while his government is open to a security deal with Syria, he demands that the Jewish state’s northern neighbor establish a “demilitarized buffer zone” between Damascus and the Israeli-controlled area surrounding Mount Hermon.
“We hold these territories to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel, and that is what obligates us,” he said in a statement. “In a good spirit and understanding of these principles, it is also possible to reach an agreement with the Syrians, but we will stand by our principles in any case.”
Tensions are growing between the nations after Israeli troops killed at least 13 people, including civilians, in a Nov. 28 attack on a village in southern Syria.
Israel said the operation was meant to target members of a Lebanon-based militant group linked to the Muslim Brotherhood. The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the “criminal attack” as a “full-fledged war crime.”
Netanyahu made the statement as he visited the Israel Defense Forces 55th Reserve Brigade soldiers who were wounded from Friday’s clash in Syria.
“I am here with the heroic IDF wounded after our recent operation in Syria,” the prime minister added. “After October 7th, we are determined to defend our communities on our borders, including the northern border, and to prevent the entrenchment of terrorists and hostile actions against us, to protect our Druze allies, and to ensure that the State of Israel is safe from ground attack and other attacks from the border areas.”
Last month, Netanyahu visited the annexed portion of Syrian land controlled by Israel, known as the Golan Heights, to support Israeli troops based in the Israel-Syria buffer zone. Syrian officials condemned the visit, claiming Israel violated its sovereignty.
The United States backs the prospect of a mutual agreement between Israel and Syria despite their souring relationship. On Monday, President Donald Trump said he approved of Syria’s new leader and warned Israel to refrain from interfering with the country.
“It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous State,” he wrote on Truth Social. “The new President of Syria, Ahmed al-Sharaa, is working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together. This is a historic opportunity, and adds to the SUCCESS, already attained, for PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST!”
TRUMP SAYS US ‘VERY SATISFIED’ WITH SYRIA UNDER AL SHARAA AND ASKS ISRAEL NOT TO ‘INTERFERE’
Trump met with Sharaa at the White House last month, heaping praise on him while maintaining a congenial relationship with Netanyahu.
The new Syrian president rose to power after Bashar al Assad was ousted and forced to flee to Russia in response to an attack from Syrian rebel forces last December.