After his visit to Syrian territories… Netanyahu sends a message to Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was in Syria’s interest to reach security arrangements with Israel, stressing that Israel wouldn’t compromise on the security of its borders.
In an interview on an Israeli channel on Telegram, Netanyahu said that “Syria has a greater interest in reaching a security agreement with Israel, Israel is a strong country, and any arrangements that prevent friction between the two parties will benefit Damascus as well as Israel”.
Netanyahu referred to his recent visit to the buffer zone inside Syrian territory under Israeli control, explaining that he wanted to make sure that the scenario of the October 7 attack wouldn’t be repeated, and that Israel’s security policy was strictly applied to various borders, including the Syrian front.
Last week, Netanyahu entered Israeli-controlled areas of southern Syria, where he met with Israeli soldiers.
During the visit, he said: “We attach great importance to the defensive and offensive capabilities here, to protect the Druze who are allied with us, and above all to protect the State of Israel and its northern border against the Golan… The mission can develop at any moment, but we trust you”.
He also expressed his appreciation to the soldiers and their families, thanking on behalf of the Israeli government and people for what they are doing.
According to identical reports from Israeli and Syrian media, negotiations between Israel and Syria on a new security agreement have reached an impasse, despite several rounds in Paris and Baku under the auspices of the United States.
The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation indicates that the reason for the stalemate is due to the Syrian government’s insistence on the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the areas it controlled after the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.
Israel, on the other hand, insists on signing a comprehensive peace agreement before any withdrawal, and refuses to settle for a limited security agreement.
Syrian transitional president Ahmed al Sharaa confirmed in an interview with the Washington Post that the negotiations had made good progress, but at the same time stressed that any final agreement would require Israel to return to the pre-December 8, 2024 borders.
He considered that the Israeli presence in southern Syria is not only related to security considerations, but also carries clear political dimensions.
However, contrary to what Sharaa said, Netanyahu stated that after Sharaa returned from his visit to Washington, he began taking steps that Netanyahu described as steps in the wrong direction.
