Israel is not heading toward peace with Syria as hostile forces, among them the Iran-backed Houthis, are planning a ground incursion into communities in the Golan Heights, Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Wednesday, speaking in a closed meeting of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee.
The minister noted that the defense establishment is taking such a scenario into account in its plans to protect Israel’s north, according to Israel’s public broadcaster Kan.
He further stressed that Israel is watchful over the situation of the Druze in Syria.
“The [Israel Defense Forces] have a prepared plan; and if raids on the Druze Mountain happen again, we will intervene, including blocking the border,” he said, apparently referring to the dozens of Israeli Druze who in July crossed the border into Syria at Majdal Shams to aide their relatives who clashed in heavy fighting with Sunni Bedouin and regime forces.
Kan also reported on Wednesday that the Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas terrorist organizations were bolstering their “military” forces in Palestinian camps in Syria, including near Damascus, with the cooperation of the regime.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is not necessarily involved in this development, but other elements within the regime are fully aware of it, according to the report.
Islamic Jihad denied the report.
Kan cited a Syrian security official who said that “If there are things that bother Israel regarding the Palestinian organizations, then they should update the Syrian side, and it will be handled.”
The official added that there is no intention whatsoever to allow military actions against Israel, and any launch toward it harms the Syrian state, which is trying to rebuild itself.
