Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed Israel's interest in forming relations with the new Syrian government while emphasizing a strong stance against security threats. Netanyahu stated that Israel would respond with force to any potential security risks.
Netanyahu highlighted concerns about Iran's presence in Syria, warning that Israel would not tolerate Iran's re-entrenchment in the region or the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah. He made it clear that any attacks on Israel would be met with a fierce response, emphasizing that consequences for the new Syrian regime would be similar to those faced by the previous regime.
Despite these warnings, Netanyahu clarified that Israel does not intend to interfere in Syria's internal affairs but is committed to safeguarding its own security interests.
Netanyahu revealed that he had authorized the Israeli air force to target military assets left behind by the collapsed Syrian military to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremist groups described as jihadists.
