Israel Says Will Continue to Attack Syria Despite Return to Arab League

An Israeli raid on Syria targeting the sites of the regime forces and Iranian militias (File photo: AFP)
An Israeli raid on Syria targeting the sites of the regime forces and Iranian militias (File photo: AFP)
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Israel Says Will Continue to Attack Syria Despite Return to Arab League

An Israeli raid on Syria targeting the sites of the regime forces and Iranian militias (File photo: AFP)
An Israeli raid on Syria targeting the sites of the regime forces and Iranian militias (File photo: AFP)

Syria's return to the Arab League will not affect Israel's action inside Syrian territory, according to an Israeli official.

The official confirmed that his government had conveyed clear messages to the international community, stating that Syria's legitimacy would not prevent Tel Aviv from attacking it and would not affect Israel's actions.

The Israeli security establishment expressed concerns about Syria's readmission into the Arab League after 12 years of suspension.

Ynet Hebrew website reported that Defense Minister Yoav Gallant met with senior security officials last week to assess Syria's return to the Arab League.

Sources said Israel is waiting to assess the situation, but its policy would not change.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad participated in the 32nd Arab summit held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on Friday after the Arab League announced the participation of Syrian delegations in its meetings and affiliated bodies and organizations as of May 7.

Israel regularly raids Syrian territories and targets Iranian sites in Syria.

Syrian media accused Israel about two weeks ago of an attack in Aleppo, killing a Syrian soldier and injuring several others, including civilians.

Last Thursday, Israeli warplanes dropped leaflets over the Quneitra area, warning Syrian army commanders to cooperate with Hezbollah.

The flyers warned the Syrian regime against cooperating with the Iranian-backed group, saying that regime forces procure security passes at checkpoints for Hezbollah elements threatening Israel.

Israel also called on the regime to change its policy of tolerating Hezbollah's presence in the region.

Earlier, the Chief of the General Staff of the Iranian Armed Forces, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, praised the remarkable defense progress of Hezbollah, which now possesses advanced technologies.

The Wall Street Journal reported that Iran is preparing for possible new attacks against Israel.

The report said that the commander of the al-Quds Force, Esmail Qaani, held a series of meetings in recent weeks with leaders of armed groups across the region, including groups fighting in Syria and Iraq.

Qaani urged them to take quick action, adding that Iran would provide the necessary tools to carry out attacks to deter Israel from making its strikes.

Israel says it is ready for a multi-front confrontation.



EU’s Kallas Says She Hopes for Political Agreement on Easing Syria Sanctions

In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
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EU’s Kallas Says She Hopes for Political Agreement on Easing Syria Sanctions

In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)
In this photograph taken on January 12, 2025, a vendor waits for customers at her mobile shop in the Damascus Tower market, which specializes in the smart phone business, in the Syrian capital. (AFP)

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Wednesday she hopes a political agreement on easing Syria sanctions can be reached at a gathering of European ministers next week.

EU foreign ministers will discuss the situation in Syria during a meeting in Brussels on Jan. 27.

European officials began rethinking their approach towards Syria after Bashar al-Assad was ousted as president by opposition forces led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, which the United Nations designates as a terrorist group.

Some European capitals want to move quickly to suspend economic sanctions in a signal of support for the transition in Damascus. Others have sought to ensure that even if some sanctions are eased, Brussels retains leverage in its relationship with the new Syrian authorities.

“We are ready to do step-for-step approach and also to discuss what is the fallback position,” Kallas told Reuters in an interview.

“If we see that the developments are going in the wrong direction, then we are also willing to put them back,” she added.

Six EU member states called this month for the bloc to temporarily suspend sanctions on Syria in areas such as transport, energy and banking.

Current EU sanctions include a ban on Syrian oil imports and a freeze on any Syrian central bank assets in Europe.