The Israeli army continues to bolster its positions inside Syrian territories it occupied near the Golan Heights five months ago. This is in spite of regional and international diplomatic efforts to put an end to Israel’s violations against Syria, meaning Tel Aviv may still have doubts about the intentions of the new rulers in Damascus.
The Israelis believe that the new rulers are sending positive signals to all parties, including Tel Aviv and Iran. They do point out, however, that some armed groups affiliated with Damascus openly declare their hostility to Israel and its allies in the region, which demands that they be approached with caution.
Recent reports have spoken of indirect talks held between Syria and Israel in a third country in April with the aim of easing tensions. The discussions focused on security and intelligence affairs, as well as counter-terrorism efforts and trust-building between the countries that don’t have official ties.
Sources described the talks as positive even as Israel continued its attacks on Syria, going so far as to strike a location close to the presidential palace in Damascus. It claimed that it was defending Syria’s Druze minority, which it alleges is being harassed by parties close to the new rulers in Damascus.
On May 3, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a strike near the presidential palace should serve as a "clear message" to Syria's new rulers.
"We will not allow forces to be sent south of Damascus or any threat to the Druze community," he said in a joint statement with Defense Minister Israel Katz.
Israel’s Yedioth Ahronoth said three rounds of unofficial talks have been held between Israeli academics with security backgrounds with three figures who are close to the new Syrian government. Discussions tackled the Israeli strikes on Syria and ensuring the security of the Druze, while Damascus demanded an end to the escalation and allowing the new rulers to arrange internal affairs inside Syria.
The sources told the newspaper that the talks were direct, as opposed to other rounds of talks, reflecting a desire to build trust as Syria recently declared that it has "no intention to threaten any of its neighbors, including Israel."
The newspaper also said that Syrian and Israeli figures met on the sidelines of two conferences in Europe. The members of the Syrian delegation appeared friendly towards the Israelis, stressing that the new regime in Damascus has expelled the Iranians from Syria and will not allow them to return. The Israelis were receptive of the message.
Yedioth Ahronoth said the Syrian delegation was comprised of six officials and had received official approval to meet the Israelis in Europe.
Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa acknowledged on Wednesday that his country has held indirect talks with Israel.
"There are indirect talks with Israel through mediators to calm and attempt to absorb the situation so that it does not reach a level that both sides lose control over," he said, reiterating blame on Israel over what he described as its "random interventions" in Syria.
Meanwhile, Israel continued to bolster its positions in locations it occupied in Jabal al-Sheikh in Syria and along the border – areas that are just 20 kilometers away from the capital Damascus.
Israel's military said Thursday it opened a mobile medical clinic in southern Syria to support the Druze population, which it has committed to defending in recent weeks.
The military “has begun operating a forward mobile triage facility in southern Syria, in the area of the village of Hader," a statement said.
"The facility is part of several efforts undertaken by the IDF to support the Syrian-Druze population and ensure their safety."
In footage published by the army, military medical personnel can be seen treating a man with his arm in a cast – all of whom have their faces blurred – in what appears to be a mobile cabin.
