Syria says willing to return to 1974 border deal with Israel

Edmonton Journal

15 hours ago

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'We must maintain a high level of alertness and keep our eyes open at all times … carrying out proactive operations to prevent threats. We will strike wherever necessary against any real or emerging danger. We continue to target terrorist organizations, including Hezbollah,' Zamir said.
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The next day, the IDF announced that troops had apprehended members of an Iranian-backed terrorist cell during an overnight operation in southern Syria. On Sunday, the military said that soldiers operating in the same region had arrested several suspected terrorists during raids on weapons caches.
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According to the IDF, soldiers from the 210th 'Bashan' Division are actively deployed in southern Syria, with the mission of neutralizing any threat to Israeli citizens. The division's area of operations extends from the summit of Mount Hermon—referred to as its 'crown'—down to the tripoint border where Syria, Jordan and Israel meet.
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During a visit to the Syrian Hermon in January, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared: 'The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, as well as all the residents of Israel.'
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not permit forces loyal to Syrian leader al-Sharaa to deploy in the area south of Damascus.
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On June 3, Syrian terrorists fired two rockets at the Israeli side of the Golan Heights. Both projectiles hit open areas, causing no injuries or damage.
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In response, Katz stated that Jerusalem views al-Sharaa as 'directly responsible for any threat and firing toward the State of Israel,' and warned that a 'full response will come soon.'
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However, Barrack cautioned that this could take time because new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Shara, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani—a former Al-Qaeda terrorist—could face resistance at home.
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'He cannot be seen by his own people as being forced or coerced into the Abraham Accords,' said Barrack, referring to the agreements that normalized Israel's relations with four Arab countries: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
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'So, he has to work slowly,' Barrack said of al-Sharaa.
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During a visit to the Syrian Hermon in January, Defense Minister Israel Katz declared: 'The IDF will remain at the summit of the Hermon and the security zone indefinitely to ensure the security of the communities of the Golan Heights and the north, as well as all the residents of Israel.'
Article content
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he will not permit forces loyal to Syrian leader al-Sharaa to deploy in the area south of Damascus.
Article content
On June 3, Syrian terrorists fired two rockets at the Israeli side of the Golan Heights. Both projectiles hit open areas, causing no injuries or damage.
Article content
In response, Katz stated that Jerusalem views al-Sharaa as 'directly responsible for any threat and firing toward the State of Israel,' and warned that a 'full response will come soon.'