Israel said Monday it had carried out strikes across Syria as rebel forces claimed control in Damascus, the capital, after President Bashar al-Assad’s ouster from power. In a statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his country had “reshaped the Middle East” by targeting Hezbollah, Hamas, and Iran, which he believed set off events leading to Assad’s downfall.
Netanyahu’s comments came as Syria’s notorious prisons emptied, and families searched for missing loved ones amidst celebration in Damascus. The fall of Assad marks a new chapter for Syria, with Russia seeking to secure military bases in the country.
Israel has maintained a large military presence along its border with Syria, but its actions have sparked uncertainty among regional players. US officials are urging calm, as tensions rise between Israel and Iran-backed groups.
This development comes amid ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah agreed to a cease-fire deal in November 2024, although hostilities have continued. The situation remains volatile, with Israel resisting pressure from Western allies to allow more humanitarian aid into the enclave.
Source: https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/12/09/syria-war-news-israel-hamas-gaza-lebanon