In a warm telephone conversation between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President-elect Donald Trump, hot topics were discussed. Among them, the need for Israel to achieve victory in its war against Hamas in Gaza and its position on Syria.
During the conversation, the two leaders discussed a variety of issues, including Israel’s commitment to preventing the rearmament of Lebanon-based Hezbollah and the conflict with Hamas in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of nearly 45,000 Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.
Benjamin Netanyahu stressed the critical importance of repatriating the remaining hostages in Gaza. He affirmed that Israel is working tirelessly to bring back its citizens held captive, whether alive or dead. The Prime Minister also reiterated that discretion was required on this issue, expressing his confidence in the success of this mission with divine help.
Regarding Syria, following the overthrow of the regime of President Bashar al-Assad by a rebel coalition, Israel affirmed that it was not seeking a confrontation with this country, but that it would adapt its policy according to the evolution of the situation on the ground. Netanyahu highlighted Iran’s attitude, transiting weapons to Hezbollah through Syrian territory, and affirmed that Israel would oppose the rearmament of the militant group.
Israel’s takeover of the historic buffer zone between Israel and Syria did not fail to provoke reactions, both from rebel groups in Syria and from some of this country’s neighbors. The situation became tense with Netanyahu’s approval of a plan to expand Israeli settlements in the occupied Golan Heights. Although the occupation is considered illegal under international law, Israel justifies this measure by a desire to strengthen its presence in the region.
In conclusion, the conversation between Netanyahu and Trump illustrates the delicate issues that Israel faces in its region. The complex situation in the Middle East requires a balanced approach and thoughtful decisions to ensure the security and stability of the region.