Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he held talks with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, focusing on Syria and other key regional issues. Netanyahu highlighted shifts in the Middle East, claiming that Israeli operations have diminished Iran’s influence over the past year.
Following the collapse of the Assad government in Syria on December 8, Israel conducted a series of intense airstrikes targeting former military arsenals across Syria. Netanyahu stated that these strikes aimed to prevent weapons from being used against Israel or transferred from Syria to Hezbollah.
In addition to the airstrikes, Israel approved a plan on Sunday to expand settlements in the Golan Heights, a Syrian territory currently occupied by Israel. The plan aims to double the Israeli population in the region through development programs and infrastructure initiatives.
This decision has drawn criticism from Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Qatar. The Saudi Foreign Ministry called the move a continuation of efforts to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security and stability, emphasizing the need to respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The UAE warned that Israeli actions could exacerbate tensions in the region, rejecting all measures aimed at altering the legal status of the occupied Golan Heights. Qatar’s Foreign Ministry condemned the decision as a blatant violation of international law and called on the international community to compel Israel to halt its aggression.
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Gulf states condemn Israel's Syria strikes, Golan settlement plans
cgtn.com
