Israel Warns of Ongoing Threats from Syria Despite Rebel Takeover

TEL AVIV, ISRAEL — Despite the recent overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned on Sunday that threats to Israel from Syria remain significant, even as the new rebel leadership adopts a moderate tone. Katz’s comments come amid heightened military activity by Israel in the region.

«The immediate risks to the country have not disappeared, and the latest developments in Syria only amplify the threat — despite the so-called moderate image the rebel leaders are trying to project,» Katz said during a meeting on Israel’s defense budget, according to an official statement.

Rebel Leader Calls for Stability Amid Israeli Strikes

Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, now Syria’s de facto leader, accused Israel of using false pretexts to justify its military actions. Sharaa, who leads the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group that toppled Assad’s five-decade rule last week, emphasized Syria’s focus on rebuilding and called for avoiding new conflicts.

«Syria’s current war-weary state does not permit further confrontations,» Sharaa told Syria TV, a channel aligned with the rebels. «Our priority is reconstruction and stability, not disputes that could lead to more destruction.»

Israeli Military Moves in Demilitarized Zone

Since Assad’s removal, Israel has moved forces into the demilitarized zone established after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, including positions on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon near Damascus. Israeli forces have reportedly taken over an abandoned Syrian military post in the area.

Israel maintains that the incursion is temporary and aimed at ensuring border security. The country has also conducted hundreds of airstrikes targeting Syrian military infrastructure and strategic weapons stockpiles.

The Israeli government asserts these strikes are necessary to prevent advanced weaponry from falling into the hands of extremist rebel factions, some of which have roots in al-Qaida and the Islamic State.

Regional Condemnation and Calls for Diplomacy

Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, have condemned Israel’s actions in the Golan Heights, accusing it of seizing buffer zones under the guise of security measures.

Sharaa, while critical of Israel’s actions, urged for diplomatic solutions to stabilize the region.
«Military adventures with no clear calculation are unwelcome. Security and stability must be achieved through diplomacy, not escalation,» he stated.

The Path Ahead

As Syria’s new leadership focuses on reconstruction, the ongoing tension with Israel threatens to derail efforts to stabilize the war-torn nation. Israel, meanwhile, remains on high alert, unwilling to overlook potential threats from a neighboring country now under the control of an Islamist faction.

With both sides firmly entrenched in their positions, the prospects for easing tensions appear uncertain.