US President Donald Trump urges Israel to avoid interfering in Syria’s stability, following a deadly Israeli operation that killed 13 people.
WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has warned Israel against taking actions that could destabilise Syria.
Trump issued the statement on his Truth Social platform days after an Israeli military operation in Syria killed 13 people.
“It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous State,” Trump said.
The US president spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shortly after issuing the public warning.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed the leaders discussed “expanding” regional peace agreements during their call.
“Trump has invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to a meeting at the White House in the near future,” the Israeli statement said.
Trump expressed satisfaction with Syria’s performance under President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
He insisted that Sharaa “is working diligently to make sure good things happen, and that both Syria and Israel will have a long and prosperous relationship together.”
The US has been pushing for a security pact between Israel and Syria since Sharaa’s coalition took power.
Tensions have escalated due to hundreds of Israeli strikes on Syrian territory.
Friday’s operation in the southern village of Beit Jin was the deadliest such incident recently.
Syria condemned the Israeli operation as a “war crime,” while Israel said it targeted an Islamist group.
The Israeli army stated the Beit Jin targets were fighters from Jamaa Islamiya, a group allied with Hamas.
Trump added that good Syria-Israel relations would complement wider Middle East peace efforts.
His administration lifted sanctions on Syria to support Sharaa’s government.
Washington says Damascus is now joining the global coalition against the Islamic State group.
“The two leaders stressed the importance and obligation of disarming Hamas and demilitarizing the Gaza Strip,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Israel maintains its right to strike militant groups in neighbouring countries despite ceasefires.
Netanyahu recently drew sharp regional criticism for visiting Israeli troops in the Golan Heights buffer zone.
