Israel Katz on Syria

Israel Katz, in his capacity as Defense Minister, has unequivocally stated that Israel is not moving toward any peace or normalization agreement with the Syrian government in Damascus. This firm stance is directly linked to his assertion that various hostile forces, including militias allegedly linked to the Houthis, are currently active within Syria and are considering launching ground attacks against Israeli communities in the Golan Heights. He views the presence of these armed groups as an unacceptable security threat that precludes diplomatic progress with the current Syrian state apparatus.

He further indicated that the defense establishment is actively preparing for scenarios involving attacks from these militias or from Syrian forces themselves, particularly concerning the protection of the Druze communities located across the border. Following the fall of the previous regime, Israeli forces expanded their operational depth in Southern Syria, citing the need to interdict weapons and neutralize threats emanating from the territory adjacent to the border. The Minister has also asserted Israel will never fully withdraw from occupied Syrian territories, signaling a long-term, non-conciliatory security posture.