Syria

Israel concerned over military escalation with Turkey

Israel’s defense establishment is closely monitoring the public exchange of threats between Jerusalem and Ankara, warning that tensions could undermine the IDF’s freedom of action in Syria.

Unusual statement by Defense Minister over Shabbat

Defense Minister claims Israel warned the Syrian regime in advance against an attempt to allow Turkey to establish a presence at the Abu al-Duhur airbase.

'Hamas hasn't changed'

Special interview with Amb. Mike Huckabee

In a special Arutz Sheva interview, US Ambassador Mike Huckabee speaks out on Iran, Hamas, Syria, Israel's upcoming elections, and Trump-Netanyahu ties.

Katz to Erdogan: Don't test Israel

Defense Minister Israel Katz warns Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan against dragging country into 'dangerous adventures' in Syria.

Syrian FM:

'Israel struck despite assurances no Turkish base was planned'

Syrian FM Asaad Al-Shaibani tells Axios that Israel struck Abu al-Duhur airbase despite assurances Syria had no plans for a permanent Turkish military presence.

'Don’t'

Mossad Chief's secret phone call before the strikes in Syria

Mossad chief Roman Gofman reportedly spoke with Syria’s foreign minister days before Israel struck an airbase, warning against Turkey’s military presence.

Chief of Staff in Syria

'We won't allow enemies to establish themselves on our borders'

LTG Eyal Zamir tours security zone in southern Syria, warns escalation could develop on any front and praises reservists who have served hundreds of days since the war began.

Zamir tours Syria after Israeli strike

IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir visits IDF positions in southern Syria following strike on Syrian airbase to prevent planned Turkish military deployment.

Turkey rejects Israel's justification for Syria strikes

Turkey rejects Israel's justification for strikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase, accusing Jerusalem of violating Syrian sovereignty and stability.

US envoy:

'Israeli strikes in Syria risked escalation with Turkey'

US envoy Tom Barrack says Israeli strikes in Syria highlight the need for Israel, Syria and Turkey to establish a mechanism to prevent escalation.

'We will not tolerate threats'

Israel confirms Syria airstrikes

Netanyahu’s office confirms strikes on Syria's Abu al-Duhur airbase and warns Damascus over Turkish troop deployment, saying Israel will not tolerate threats.

Syria admits to possessing nuclear material

Syrian Foreign Minister announces that the IAEA will receive access to a site in Deir ez-Zor after more than 18 years, effectively confirming the presence of nuclear material in the country.

US Envoy blames Israel for strikes on Syrian airbase

Arab media reports four airstrikes targeting a military airport near Idlib, with some sources suggesting Israeli aircraft were involved.

NYPD:

No security detail for Mamdani's wife on Syria, Lebanon trip

NYPD says it will not send officers with Rama Duwaji on her planned Syria and Lebanon trip, citing Level 4 US travel advisories for both countries.

'We will not withdraw':

Katz's order to the IDF in Lebanon

Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to prepare for a long-term stay in Lebanon, saying Israel will not withdraw from its security zones in Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza.

Syrian court sentences Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia

A Syrian court has sentenced ousted president Bashar al-Assad to death in absentia after convicting him of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the country's civil war.

Israel identifies:

Syrian Air Force is rebuilding

The defense establishment has identified an acceleration in the rebuilding of the Syrian Air Force, roughly a year and eight months after the IDF declared its destruction.

Syria nuclear program

IAEA to extract nuclear materials from clandestine 'Site 99'

The IAEA will extract nuclear material from a secret Syrian site following a US-brokered deal with Damascus and Israel to avert a regional escalation, reports Axios.

Syria:

ISIS cell captured near Golan Heights

Syrian security forces in Damascus arrested nine terrorists in the city of Khan Arnabeh, near the Golan Heights. The arrests come amid efforts to thwart the smuggling of drones and missiles to Hezbollah.

Near Damascus

Syria: At least two dead, 13 injured in minibus explosion

A minibus bomb in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana kills two people and injures 13, highlighting persistent security threats under Syria's new leadership.

Sa'ar fires back at Turkey: Israel will keep defending itself

Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar rejected Turkish criticism of Israel's Syria operations, accusing Ankara of hypocrisy and defending Israel's security measures.

Two Israelis detained after crossing into Syria

Soldiers locate, return, two Israeli civilians who crossed border into Syria, handing them over to police for questioning.

Three Israelis arrested after crossing into Syria

IDF returns three Israeli activists to Israeli territory a day after they crossed the border.

Watch: Torah scroll dedicated at IDF 'Keter Hahermon' outpost

In moving ceremony, IDF soldiers stationed some 40 kilometers inside Syrian territory dance and sing, welcoming new Torah scroll to their remote outpost. 'Through the unity of Israel, we will prevail.'

Lebanon:

Suspect detained for transferring hundreds of thousands to ISIS

Lebanese authorities arrest a suspect who stole $400,000 from his father to finance ISIS operations, uncovering a cross-border terror funding cell.

Two Israelis detained after crossing into Syria from Mount Hermon

Two Israeli civilians cross border into Syrian territory, are located by IDF troops, returned to Israel, and detained.

Syrian president: We will not intervene militarily in Lebanon

Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa says Damascus won't involve itself militarily in Lebanon, but warns internal instability there would have serious repercussions for Syria.

President of Syria:

'Security agreement with Israel could pave the way for peace'

President of Syria Ahmed al-Sharaa says that his country is working to reach a security agreement with Israel, involving additional countries, which could pave the way for comprehensive peace, without giving up the Golan.'

Damascus’s secret path

Syria prepares to move against Hezbollah in Lebanon

Despite the Syrian president’s official rejection of President Donald Trump’s proposal, preparations are underway behind the scenes to intervene on the Hezbollah issue in Lebanon.

For 2nd time in a week: Syria thwarts Hezbollah smuggling attempt

Customs at the Jdeidat Yabous border crossing foiled an attempt to smuggle 226 grenade launcher rounds and other weapons concealed in a private vehicle bound for Lebanon.

Disaster averted

Seconds before impact: IDF aborts strike on Israeli civilians

IDF drones were moments from striking five suspects near the Syrian border before lookouts realized they were Israeli activists, not terrorists.

'Criminal offense'

IDF condemns wave of civilians crossing border into Syria

IDF detains and hands over to police several civilians who crossed into Syria near Majdal Shams, warning such border incursions risk lives and security.

Syria blocks major Hezbollah arms shipment from Iraq

Syrian authorities seize long-range missiles, anti-tank weapons and drones allegedly destined for Hezbollah after foiling a cross-border smuggling attempt.

Katz, Hegseth, hold security talks

US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth updates Defense Minister Israel Katz on US military operations in Iran; Katz reaffirms Israel's determination to maintain security zones after October 7 massacre.

'They don't want you there'

Report: Trump pressed Netanyahu to pull out of Syria, Lebanon

According to Axios, President Trump urged Netanyahu to redeploy Israeli forces from Syria and Lebanon while Israel cites ongoing security concerns.

Has Ahmadinejad been recruited? If so, he is not the first

Was Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the anti-Israel Iranian president, actually recruited by the Mossad? It remains unclear, but already in the early years of the state there was a mysterious connection with a hostile president.

President Trump:

Netanyahu has been a 'great wartime prime minister'

Speaking alongside Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, President Donald Trump praises Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s wartime leadership, saying Israel’s security depended on strong leadership, while discussing Syria, Turkey, Lebanon, and regional developments.

France and Syria ink deals during Macron visit

France and Syria forge multiple economic agreements and established joint committees to coordinate national reconstruction and banking reforms.

Syria:

Explosions near hotel where Macron is staying

Explosions heard near hotel in Damascus, Syria, where French President Emmanuel Macron is staying.

Macron lands in Damascus in historic visit to post-Assad Syria

French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in Damascus, breaking Western precedent to engage with Syria's new leadership on security and economic rebuilds.

Macron set for historic Syria visit, boosting post-Assad regime

French President Emmanuel Macron will soon visit Syria, making him the first Western leader to travel there since the 2024 collapse of the Bashar Al-Assad regime.

Israeli activists claim violent eviction from Syria

The Pioneers of the Bashan movement alleges excessive force during the evacuation, claiming teenagers were dragged, phones confiscated, and several activists detained.

Syria begins trials over Sweida violence that killed thousands

Damascus initiates public trials for suspects implicated in last year's sectarian clashes in Sweida, a major test for post-Assad Syria.

Syrian FM:

'Willing to talk to Hezbollah if in Syria's national interest'

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani visits Beirut, clarifying Damascus' conditional openness to engaging directly with Hezbollah.

Seven killed in central Damascus explosion

Syrian media are reporting an explosion in a cafe near the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, Syria. Initial reports tell of numerous casualties at the scene.

Rare Jewish ceremonial chair returned to Damascus synagogue

A historic Chair of Elijah stolen from a Damascus synagogue was recovered with the help of local residents.

Severe security blunder

Syrian civilians find lost classified IDF communications device

The IDF changed encryption systems after a classified communications device was lost and taken by Syrian residents.

IDF thwarts infiltration attempt from southern Syria

Etzioni Brigade and Division 210 forces eliminated two armed terrorists last night in the security zone in southern Syria, about one kilometer from the Israeli border, IDF assesses they were operatives of a local terrorist organization.

Victory for Trump:

Hundreds of thousands of immigrants to be deported?

Supreme Court rules 6-3 to let the Trump administration end Temporary Protected Status for over 350,000 Haitian and Syrian immigrants in the US.

US eliminates top ISIS leader in Syria

US Military confirms that senior ISIS leader Ali Husayn al-‘Ulaywi was eliminated in an airstrike in Syria.

Defense Minister promises: We won't leave

Defense Minister Israel Katz speaks at expo, noting Hamas tunnels would have remained intact had the October 7 massacre not happened, and promising that Israel will remain in Syria and Lebanon.

Rules out sending troops

Al-Sharaa open to talks with Hezbollah

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa rejects President Trump's suggestions that Damascus should militarily intervene against Hezbollah, favoring economic solutions instead.

Report: Ancient Damascus Jewish cemetery set aflame

In second incident in a month, vandals set fire to ancient Jewish cemetery in Damascus, Syria.

Trump’s astonishing betrayal of Israel’s security imperatives

Perhaps the biggest betrayal of all is that the administration increasingly appears to view Israeli military actions not through the lens of Israeli security needs but through the lens of how those actions affect US negotiations with Tehran. Opinion.

Report:

Al-Sharaa hesitant to confront Hezbollah

A Syrian source claims the Syrian President fears damaging his standing in the Arab world, demanding an Israeli withdrawal from southern Syria as a prerequisite for tackling Hezbollah.

'Syria would do a better job'

Trump condemns Israel's strategy in Lebanon

President Donald Trump criticized Israel's campaign against Hezbollah, urging greater restraint while insisting Iran must never obtain nuclear weapons.

Defense Minister:

'Israel will not withdraw from Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza'

Defense Minister Katz declared that Israel is determined to keep the IDF in security zones in Lebanon, Syria and the Gaza Strip indefinitely to protect Israel's borders and communities.

IDF confirms:

Hezbollah commander behind attack on US troops eliminated

Ali Musa Daqduq, a senior Hezbollah commander wanted for the 2007 killing of US soldiers, was eliminated by the IDF, Israel says.

Report:

Turkey urges Syrian President not to help weaken Hezbollah

Turkey is urging Syria's leader not to fight Hezbollah, defying Trump's plans to enlist him, according to Kan 11 News.

Syria discovers remnants of Assad’s chemical weapons program

Security forces in Syria have reportedly located and confiscated the remnants of the chemical weapons program of former Syrian President Bashar Assad.