Israel on High Alert: Increased Threat from Syria Despite Rebel Leaders' Moderate Tone

Despite the moderate tone adopted by the new Syrian rebel leaders, Israel continues to perceive an increased threat from Syria. Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasized that the immediate risks to the country have not diminished, and recent developments in Syria have only heightened the threat.

Ahmad al-Sharaa, the de facto leader of Syria and head of the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, stated that Israel was using false pretexts to justify its attacks on Syria. However, he also expressed a desire to avoid new conflicts, focusing instead on rebuilding the war-torn nation.

In response to the perceived threats, Israel has moved into a demilitarized zone inside Syria, including the Syrian side of the strategic Mount Hermon. The Israeli Defence Forces have also conducted numerous strikes on Syria's strategic weapons stockpiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of rebel groups.

Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Jordan, have condemned Israel's actions, calling for diplomatic solutions to ensure regional stability.

As Syria focuses on reconstruction and stability, Israel remains vigilant, maintaining its military presence in the region to safeguard its borders.