US-president elect Donald Trump on Monday spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the recent rebel takeover in Syria. The two also discussed the hostage situation in Gaza. Netanyahu said that the conversation was “very friendly and warm” and that the two discussed the hostage situation in Gaza as well.
In a video message on X, the Israeli PM said that he had “very friendly, very warm, and very important conversation” with President-elect Trump on Saturday (local time) and told about the need for Israel to “complete its victory.”
Netanyahu said that Israel is working bring back the hostages, “both the living and the dead,” and that he spoke to Trump about the need for Israel’s “complete victory” in Palestine.
Speaking about the situation in Lebanon the Netanyahu said that Israel remains committed to preventing Hezbollah from rearming itself and issued a warning to Iran.
“This is an ongoing test for Israel, we must meet it – and we will meet it. I say to Hezbollah and Iran in no uncertain terms – to prevent you from harming us, we will continue to act against you as much as necessary, in every arena and at all times,” Netanyahu said as per Times of Israel.
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He also said that Israeli offence is focused on “changing the Middle east, and that is what is happening.”
“I said we would change the Middle East and this is what is happening. Syria is not the same Syria. Lebanon is not the same Lebanon. Gaza is not the same Gaza. Iran is not the same Iran,” Netanyahu said in his post.
The October 7 attack by Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1,200 people and took over 250 hostages, including Israeli-American dual nationals, during an attack on Israel. The Israeli military and negotiation efforts have managed to free over 100 hostages, with around 100 still held in Gaza, half of whom are believed to be alive. Israel’s retaliatory actions have led to nearly 45,000 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians, and caused widespread destruction, displacing nearly the entire population.
As pressure mounts ahead of the January 20 US presidential inauguration, the US is actively working to broker a ceasefire and a hostage release deal. US officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, expressed optimism about progress.
Israel has also taken significant military steps in Syria, especially after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have carried out strikes on strategic Syrian military targets and moved into the demilitarised zone between Israel and Syria on the Golan Heights.
Netanyahu has stated Israel has no intention of escalating tensions with Syria, though the country has approved a plan to increase the population of the Golan Heights, a move condemned by Saudi Arabia and Qatar.