After Trump warning, Netanyahu says he is open to deal with Syria, but holds firm on demands

Israel is open to reaching an agreement with Syria, says Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but will not compromise on its security.

“After October 7,” he says during a visit to IDF soldiers wounded last week during an operation in Syria , “we are determined to defend our communities on our borders, including on the northern border, and to prevent the entrenchment of terrorists and hostile activities against us; to protect our Druze allies; and to ensure that Israel is secure from ground and other attacks from areas near the border.”

“What we expect Syria to do is, of course, to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the [Israeli-held] buffer zone, and of course the approaches to Mount Hermon and the Hermon summit,” Netanyahu continues in a video statement.

“In a positive atmosphere and with understanding of these principles, it is also possible to reach an agreement with the Syrians — but we will stand by our principles in any case,” he concludes.

On Friday, Israeli forces reportedly killed 13 people in an operation in southern Syria, saying they targeted an Islamist group. Six Israeli soldiers were wounded in the gun battle.

Netanyahu’s message comes a day after US President Donald Trump warned Israel via social media against destabilizing Syria and its new leadership, shortly before holding a phone conversation with Netanyahu.

Trump said he was “very satisfied” with Syria’s current performance under former Islamist rebel President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who made a historic visit to the White House in November.