Trump cautions Israel against 'meddling' in Syria

On Monday, US President Donald Trump advised Israel to refrain from actions that could destabilize Syria and its new government, shortly after an Israeli military operation resulted in 13 fatalities. According to statements from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Trump spoke with Netanyahu and extended an invitation for a future visit to the White House.

"It is crucial for Israel to sustain a robust and genuine dialogue with Syria, ensuring that no events hinder Syrias development into a thriving nation," Trump stated on his Truth Social account.

Since President Ahmed al-Sharaas Islamist coalition replaced Bashar al-Assad a year ago, Trump has advocated for a security partnership between Israel and Syria. However, tensions have escalated due to numerous Israeli strikes on Syrian territory. The deadliest of these occurred in the southern village of Beit Jin on Friday, where 13 individuals were killed. Syria condemned the operation as a "war crime," while Israel stated that it targeted an Islamist faction.

Trump expressed his approval of Syrias governance under Sharaa, noting Sharaas recent visit to the White House. The US president emphasized that Sharaa "is diligently working to ensure positive developments, fostering a long-lasting and prosperous relationship between Syria and Israel." He added that the United States is actively supporting Syrias reconstruction efforts after years of conflict.

Trump highlighted that improved relations between Israel and Syria would contribute to broader Middle East peace efforts, following the fragile Gaza ceasefire in October. As part of these efforts, the Trump administration lifted certain sanctions against Syria, while asserting that Damascus is participating in the global coalition against the Islamic State.

The discussion between Netanyahu and Trump also focused on expanding regional peace agreements. Netanyahus office confirmed that Trump invited the Prime Minister to the White House in the near future. The two leaders emphasized the need to disarm Hamas and demilitarize the Gaza Strip, in addition to exploring ways to broaden existing peace accords.

Despite these diplomatic efforts, Israel maintains its right to conduct military operations against militant groups in neighboring countries. The Beit Jin strike specifically targeted fighters from Jamaa Islamiya, an Islamist organization based in Lebanon with ties to Hamas. Netanyahu faced criticism from Damascus and regional observers after visiting Israeli troops stationed in the Golan Heights buffer zone, which has separated Israeli and Syrian forces since 1974.

Author: Sophia Brooks