Despite 'anger', Syria asserts not a threat to 'Israel': Israeli media
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Ahmad al-Sharaa is sending "Israel" reassurances of neutrality amid increased hostility against Syria.
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Syria's de facto leader Ahmad al-Sharaa walks in the presidential palace ahead of his meeting with Walid Ellafi, Libyan minister of state for communication and political affairs, in Damascus, on December 28, 2024. (AP)
Damascus is not seeking confrontations with the Israeli occupation but is angered by recent statements made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, an informed Syrian source told "Israel's" Kan channel.
The channel, citing the source, reported that Syria's transitional leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, is "sending reassurances to Israel." The report noted that this came during a meeting al-Sharaa held with a delegation from the Druze community in Syria on Monday.
Syria is also dissatisfied with recent Israeli statements in which the occupation demanded the demilitarization of the area south of the Syrian capital and allegedly sought to prevent any threats to the Druze community in Syria.
The remarks came on Monday during a meeting between al-Sharaa and the Druze delegation seeking to ease tensions, only day after Netanyahu made these remarks, which sparked backlash, anger, and protest.
During the meeting, al-Sharaa stated that "there is no security threat inside Syria," adding, "We want peace and do not consider anyone our enemy. We want to build the state and provide services to our people, and we have no intention of waging war with any party," Kan reported, citing the source.
Syria not a threat to 'Israel', al-Sharaa reassures
Al-Sharaa considered the occupation’s "escalatory rhetoric against Syria unjustified," emphasizing that "the previous threats Syria posed to Israel no longer exist" and stressing that the Syrian government is "working to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah through its territory."
According to Kan, these remarks coincided with the opening of the Syrian National Dialogue Conference, which aims to solidify the foundations of the new state.
The channel reported that al-Sharaa appeared to hint at Netanyahu’s statements, saying, "Claims that certain sects are in danger, and those who promote such allegations while portraying themselves as their defenders, are nothing but empty statements that will not deceive the Syrians."
While the conference's final statement condemned the Israeli occupation’s control over Syrian territory and called for the immediate withdrawal of its forces, Kan noted that behind the scenes, Damascus wants to send "calming messages to Israel in light of recent developments."
As regional tensions escalate, the situation remains dependent on "Israel’s" response and its willingness to engage with the de-escalatory signals coming from Damascus, the channel added.
Israeli aggression on Tuesday
Israeli occupation forces advanced into towns in Syria's Quneitra countryside and the Daraa governorate, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported on Tuesday.
The overnight advance coincided with intense aerial aggression that targeted areas in Daraa, al-Suweida, Quneitra, and Damascus' countryside.
Israeli drones were also spotted over the Quneitra province, our correspondent added.
Sources told Al Mayadeen that Israeli warplanes bombed the al-Kiswah area and flew over Damascus after. Our correspondent also reported that at least six loud explosions were heard in the Suweida countryside.
Read more: Israeli army preparing for a long stay in Syria: Israeli media
