Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel’s part in the rescue of the Syrian White Helmets came after US President Donald Trump requested his help.
“A few days ago, President Trump contacted me, along with Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau and others, with a request to help extract from Syria several hundred White Helmets,” he says.
He says he approved the move, which saw Israel secure a corridor for the volunteers to cross into Israel from Syria on their way to Jordan, as an “important humanitarian gesture.”
Canada, Germany and Britain have agreed to take in the volunteers.
In this Wednesday, June 14, 2017, file photo, provided by the Syrian Civil Defense group known as the White Helmets, shows civil defense workers carrying children after airstrikes hit a school housing a number of displaced people, in the western part of the southern Daraa province of Syria. (Syrian Civil Defense White Helmets via AP)
He also says Israel is continuing to act in Syria against Iran and is remaining vigilant on the southern border with Gaza.
“Over the weekend, we hit Hamas with a very heavy blow, and if needed, we’ll hit them sevenfold.”
Massive Israeli airstrikes on Hamas positions in Gaza on Friday after the death of a soldier on the border were seen as key to the terror group requesting a ceasefire.
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