'Israel' will confront Turkey militarily if necessary: Israeli media
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Turkey had scoped out at least three air bases in Syria for possible force deployment under a planned joint defense pact before "Israel" launched air strikes on the same sites this week.
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Israeli occupation forces walk near the United Nations Quneitra crossing near the occupied Golan Heights on January 5, 2025. (AFP)
A senior Israeli source has been quoted by Israeli media saying the Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured US President Donald Trump that "Israel" would not hesitate to "confront Turkey militarily if necessary."
The source divulged that "Israel does not seek a conflict with Turkey, but will not hesitate to act if necessary to defend itself."
Turkey had scoped out at least three air bases in Syria for possible force deployment under a planned joint defense pact before "Israel" launched air strikes on the same sites this week, four people familiar with the matter stated, according to Reuters on Monday.
The Israeli strikes on the three sites Turkey was looking into, including a heavy barrage on Wednesday night, came despite Ankara's efforts to reassure Washington that its deeper military presence in Syria, which is part of a possible joint defense pact involving new bases in central Syria and use of Syrian airspace, was not intended to threaten "Israel".
During a joint meeting with Netanyahu Tuesday, Trump said he can mediate between "Israel" and Turkey, claiming that he has "a great relationship" with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
The US president said he had congratulated his Turkish counterpart on doing “what nobody has done in 2,000 years, taking over Syria,” referring to the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime by a group of factions led by the Turkish-backed Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group.
“Any problem that you have with Turkey, I think we can solve, as long as you are reasonable, you have to be reasonable,” he told Netanyahu.
Ankara has condemned the Israeli occupation's actions in the region, calling it the "greatest threat" to regional security due to its attacks on the territorial integrity and national unity of neighboring countries.
"It is crucial for the international community to take responsibility in preventing Israel’s reckless aggression," the Turkish Foreign Ministry stated on Thursday.
It questioned why "Israel" was disturbed by developments in Syria and Lebanon that "hold great promise for stability."
Turkey called on the Israeli regime to withdraw from the occupied territories and to cease obstructing efforts aimed at stabilizing Syria.
The Turkish statement came in response to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar, who, during a press conference in Paris, expressed concerns over Turkey’s "negative role" in Syria, Lebanon, and other areas.
"They are doing their utmost to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate, and it is clear that this is their intention," Sa'ar had said.
