Syria civil war: What are Israeli tanks advancing doing near Damascus after fall of Assad? Netanyahu planning to…

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the army's achievements, saying that victory "is becoming a reality" during a Monday night press conference.

Damascus: Following the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria, Israeli military actions have intensified tensions across the Middle East. According to Al-Mayadeen, a Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese media outlet report indicates that Israeli tanks have pushed beyond the Golan Heights buffer zone, advancing to areas close to Damascus, the Syrian capital. Israeli tanks crossed the Alpha Line at Syria’s Golan Heights border late Sunday night into Monday. Israel has characterized the maneuver as a defensive measure.

However, on Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces denied reports that soldiers were operating beyond a buffer zone along the Israel-Syrian border. “Reports circulating in some media outlets claiming that IDF forces are advancing or approaching Damascus are completely incorrect,” tweeted Col. Avichah Adraee, the IDF’s Arabic language spokesperson. “IDF forces are present inside the buffer zone and at defensive points close to the border in order to protect the Israeli border.”

New reports suggest that Israeli tanks have moved beyond the buffer zone and are now positioned near Qatana, a southern town located just 20 kilometers from Damascus, the Syrian capital. The reports also claim that Israeli soldiers have entered multiple villages on the outskirts of Damascus. While the IDF has not provided an immediate response to these claims, it has previously stated its intention to limit operations to within the buffer zone.

Earlier on Monday, the Israeli Air Force carried out over 100 airstrikes in Syria, including bombings in the outskirts of Damascus. Israel stated that its targets were weapons linked to the Assad regime, aiming to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists. Amid these developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Monday press conference has fueled new concerns in the Middle East. This marks his first press conference in 99 days.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the army’s achievements, saying that victory “is becoming a reality” during a Monday night press conference. Netanyahu took questions from the media one day after the Syrian government collapsed and one day before he is due to give testimony in a corruption trial. “The complete victory that they mocked is becoming a reality today. After the fall of the regime in Damascus, Hamas is more isolated than ever. It accepted the disintegration of the arenas. It expected help from Hezbollah, Iran, and the Assad regime – that will no longer happen. This opens another opening for advancing a deal,” said Netanyahu.

He acknowledged Israel is close to a hostage agreement with Hamas but would not comment on reports that the terror group has prepared a list of hostages to potentially be released. “The collapse of the Syrian regime is a direct result of the severe blows we inflicted on Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. I would like to clarify: challenges are still expected in the campaign, and our hand is outstretched,” Netanyahu said. He also expressed appreciation to President-elect Donald Trump for recognizing Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019. “The Golan will forever be an inseparable part of Israel,” Netanyahu vowed.

The Israeli Prime Minister stated that with the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, a new chapter has begun in the Middle East. He added that Israel is defeating its enemies step by step. Netanyahu mentioned that Syria had attacked Israel during the 1973 Yom Kippur War and described Syria as the frontline of Iranian terrorism, claiming it served as a weapons pipeline from Iran to Hezbollah.

Referring to Israel’s capture of the Golan Heights during the 1967 war, Netanyahu highlighted the importance of Israel’s presence on the Golan rather than at its base. He stressed that controlling the Golan Heights ensures Israel’s security and sovereignty, describing it as an inseparable part of the nation. He also claimed that efforts are being made systematically to dismantle the Iranian axis in the region.