Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he had a \u201cvery warm\u201d phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, during which they spoke about the need for Israel\u2019s victory in its war on Hamas in Gaza and its stance on Syria. <\/p>\n
In a video statement, Israel\u2019s leader said he discussed a range of issues with Trump during the call on Saturday evening, including Israel\u2019s commitment to preventing Lebanon-based Hezbollah from rearming and Israel\u2019s conflict with Hamas, which has killed nearly 45,000 Palestinians in the besieged Gaza strip. <\/p>\n
The leaders also spoke of the need to bring home the remaining hostages in Gaza, Netanyahu said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI discussed all of this again last night with my friend, US President-elect Donald Trump,\u201d Netanyahu said. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very friendly, very warm and very important conversation. We spoke about the need to complete Israel\u2019s victory, and we also spoke at length about the efforts we are making to free our hostages.\u201d <\/p>\n
Hamas and other groups are believed to still be holding 100 hostages in Gaza, including seven Americans. All but four of the hostages were captured during Hamas\u2019 attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. <\/p>\n
Netanyahu said that Israel continues to \u201cwork tirelessly to bring our hostages home, both the living and the dead. And I add, the less we talk about it, the better, and so with God\u2019s help, we will succeed.\u201d <\/p>\n
Regarding Syria, where a rebel coalition overthrew the regime of President Bashar al-Assad last weekend following a lightning advance through the country, Netanyahu said that Israel had \u201cno interest in a conflict\u201d the country, but would adjust its policy according to the \u201cemerging reality on the ground.\u201d <\/p>\n
His latest comments come after Israeli forces following Assad\u2019s fall took control of a long-standing buffer zone that had separated Israeli and Syrian forces for decades \u2013 a move the rebels now in charge of Syria and some of the country\u2019s neighbors have criticized. <\/p>\n
Israeli officials have said the measure is temporary and Netanyahu has previously insisted Israel has \u201cno intention\u201d of intervening in Syria\u2019s internal affairs. <\/p>\n
However, in his statement Sunday, the Israeli leader noted that Syria had \u201callowed Iran to arm Hezbollah through its territory\u201d and said Israel was committed to preventing the militant group from rearming. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis is an ongoing test for Israel, we must meet it \u2013 and we will meet it. I say to Hezbollah and Iran in no uncertain terms \u2013 to prevent you from harming us, we will continue to act against you as much as necessary, in every arena and at any time,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Israel reached a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in November after a 13-month conflict largely fought along Israel\u2019s border with Lebanon which saw Israel kill a string of high-ranking Hezbollah commanders. Continuing tit-for-tat strikes have put strain on the deal. <\/p>\n
Israel\u2019s control of the buffer zone has added to tensions with Syria over its decades-long presence in the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau in southwestern Syria that Israel has occupied since a war in 1967. Syria attempted to retake the territory in a surprise attack in 1973, but failed, and Israel annexed it in 1981. <\/p>\n
Since the fall of Assad last week, the Israeli military has also taken control of Mount Hermon, which abuts the Golan Heights and lies within the buffer zone that had previously separated the two sides\u2019 troops. <\/p>\n
Despite Israel\u2019s insistence the move is temporary, several Arab states have accused Israel of exploiting instability in Syria to execute a land grab, while the rebel coalition now in charge of Syria has accused it of \u201ccrossing the lines of engagement.\u201d <\/p>\n
Adding to those tensions, the Israeli government on Sunday approved a plan by Netanyahu to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, according to a statement from the prime minister\u2019s office. <\/p>\n
\u201cIn light of the war and the new front against Syria, and out of a desire to double the population of the Golan Heights, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today submitted for government approval the first amendment to the plan to encourage demographic growth in the Golan Heights and Katzrin Heights,\u201d the statement said. Katzrin is an Israeli settlement in the Golan. <\/p>\n
The plan \u201cwill assist the Golan Regional Council in absorbing the new residents who will arrive,\u201d the statement added. <\/p>\n
\u201cStrengthening the Golan Heights is strengthening the state of Israel, and it is especially important at this time. We will continue to hold on to it, make it flourish, and settle it,\u201d Netanyahu said, according to the statement. <\/p>\n
The occupation is illegal under international law, but the United States recognized Israel\u2019s claim on the Golan during the Trump administration in 2019. Israel does not view its presence in the Golan as settlements. <\/p>\n
Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar condemned the plan to expand the Golan settlement. Qatar said it considered the expansion plan a \u201cblatant violation of international law\u201d and a new aggression on Syrian territories; Saudi Arabia said the move would derail Syria\u2019s chances of restoring security and stability. <\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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