Israeli Official: Iran Trying to Deploy Arms in or through Syria

 Demonstrators unfurl a large Palestinian flag during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Damascus' central Arnous Square on October 13, 2023 amid ongoing fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
Demonstrators unfurl a large Palestinian flag during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Damascus' central Arnous Square on October 13, 2023 amid ongoing fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
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Israeli Official: Iran Trying to Deploy Arms in or through Syria

 Demonstrators unfurl a large Palestinian flag during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Damascus' central Arnous Square on October 13, 2023 amid ongoing fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)
Demonstrators unfurl a large Palestinian flag during an anti-Israel rally in solidarity with the Palestinian people in Damascus' central Arnous Square on October 13, 2023 amid ongoing fighting between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas. (AFP)

A senior Israeli official accused Iran on Sunday of trying to open a second war front by deploying weapons in or through Syria as Israel steps up a counter-offensive in Gaza to the south.

Responding to a post of the X social-media platform that posited such a scenario, Joshua Zarka, head of strategic affairs for Israel's Foreign Ministry, said: "They (Iranians) are."

The original post also said "the Israelis are determined to prevent" such developments. To that, Zarka responded: "We are."

Syria accused Israel of carrying out strikes against Damascus and Aleppo airports last week.



EU's Borrell Urges Pressure on Israel, Hezbollah to Accept US Ceasefire Proposal

File photo: EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell attend the plenary session during the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, June 16, 2024. Urs Flueeler/Pool via REUTERS
File photo: EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell attend the plenary session during the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, June 16, 2024. Urs Flueeler/Pool via REUTERS
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EU's Borrell Urges Pressure on Israel, Hezbollah to Accept US Ceasefire Proposal

File photo: EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell attend the plenary session during the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, June 16, 2024. Urs Flueeler/Pool via REUTERS
File photo: EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borell attend the plenary session during the Summit on Peace in Ukraine, in Stansstad near Lucerne, Switzerland, June 16, 2024. Urs Flueeler/Pool via REUTERS

The European Union's foreign policy chief called on Sunday during a visit to Beirut for pressure to be exerted on both the Israeli government and on Lebanon's Hezbollah to accept a US ceasefire proposal.
Speaking at a news conference in Beirut, Josep Borell also urged Lebanese leaders to pick a president to end a two-year power vacuum in the country, and he pledged 200 million euros in support for Lebanon's armed forces.
US envoy Amos Hochstein traveled to the region earlier this week in pursuit of a deal to end months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah that has erupted into full-on war.
Israeli attacks have killed more than 3,500 people in Lebanon, according to Lebanon's Health Ministry.