Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu welcomed the ceasefire in southwestern Syria, which was agreed between the United States and Russia, and took effect at noon on Sunday.
“Israel welcomes a genuine ceasefire in Syria but this ceasefire must not allow the consolidation of a military presence of Iran and its allies in Syria, in general, and in southern Syria, in particular,” the prime minister noted.
"Last week I had in-depth conversations with US Secretary of State [Rex] Tillerson and Russian President Vladimir Putin, and they told me that they understand Israel's position and will take our demands into consideration," Netanyahu said at the weekly Cabinet meeting. of government.
“For our part, we will continue to monitor developments beyond our borders, while firmly maintaining our red lines” which include “preventing the strengthening of [Lebanese Shiite terrorist group] Hezbollah – through Syria, with emphasis on the acquisition of weapons.” precision”
“Prevent Hezbollah – or Iranian forces – from establishing a ground presence along our border and prevent the establishment of a military presence in Syria,” Netanyahu stressed.
So far, there have been no airstrikes or clashes in the area since the ceasefire came into force, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (OSDH) - a non-governmental organization based in London -, indicating that the calm is prevailing. A rebel officer in the southern Syrian city of Daraa said there has been no significant fighting.
Since the beginning of the Syrian civil war, mortar shells and other types of weapons have been recorded on the Israeli side of the Golan Heights, as a result of the fighting in neighboring Syria, which has intensified in recent weeks.
The incidents are usually the product of stray fire in the clashes, although others have been considered intentional, to which the Israel Defense Army (IDF) responds by bombing positions of the army of Syrian President Bashar al Assad, whom it holds responsible for sovereignty in the border area.
The ceasefire announced after a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Hamburg during the G20 summit is the first initiative by both administrations to try to stabilize the situation in Syria.
The ceasefire is based on the one hand, that President Bashar al Assad will continue in power and, on the other, that further advances by Iranian-sponsored forces, including Hezbollah, will be prevented.
Jordan and Israel have reportedly been involved behind the scenes in the deals.
However, several ceasefire agreements have collapsed since the start of the civil war, and it is unclear how many fighters – from Syrian government forces and the main rebel groups in southwestern Syria – are committed to the latest efforts.
To remember, Syria is not credible
Remember, Syria is not credible, what moderation is Aurora asking me for????