📍 ZAMIR TOURS ISRAELI-HELD BUFFER ZONE IN SOUTHERN SYRIA: IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir toured the Israeli-held buffer zone in southern Syria this morning, according to the military. Zamir was joined by senior officers, held a security assessment and met with reservists operating in the area.
The visit came a day after the IDF carried out a rare strike in Syria, targeting an airbase where Israel says Turkey was planning to deploy forces. Zamir said the IDF “will not allow hostile forces to establish themselves along our borders,” adding that the military must prevent both the development of terror threats and the emergence of a significant military threat along Israel’s borders. “We will know how to use our power precisely where it is needed and when it is needed,” he said.
💥 ISRAEL CONFIRMS STRIKE AIMED AT BLOCKING TURKISH DEPLOYMENT: The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed Israel was behind the overnight airstrikes against Syria’s Abu al-Duhur Air Base, where it says Turkish forces were set to be stationed.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated: “Israel and Syria agreed to maintain the status quo on security matters, which Syria was about to violate by allowing Turkish forces to deploy at an airbase near Aleppo. Israel repeatedly warned Syria that such a deployment would pose a threat to Israel’s security. Syria chose to ignore these warnings. Israel will not tolerate threats to its security and would welcome a return to the status quo.”
⚠️ U.S. OFFICIALS CONCERNED OVER ISRAEL-TURKEY ESCALATION RISK: The Israeli strike frustrated White House and senior U.S. officials, according to Axios. The Israeli government notified White House officials in advance of the strike. Around three hours earlier, President Trump spoke with Turkish President Erdoğan by phone, although it is unclear whether the issue was discussed.
The Trump administration asked the Syrian government to show restraint, stressing that it would be easier to address the issue after the Israeli election.
U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Tom Barrack told i24 News that the strike “carried a real risk of rapidly escalating into a direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey, as well as Syria.”
“The Turkish forces did not know that Israeli aircraft were heading toward this specific Syrian base, nor did they know what their objective was. Therefore, they might have decided to scramble fighter jets under the belief that they themselves were under attack. Yesterday's events were serious and concerning. Nevertheless, we are relieved that no lives were lost and that the situation did not escalate,” Barrack added.
✈️ SYRIAN MEDIA REPORT ISRAELI JETS CROSSED INTO IRAQI AIRSPACE: Syrian media reported that Israeli Air Force fighter jets entered Syrian airspace over Daraa in southern Syria last night, headed northeast and later exited Syrian airspace into Iraqi airspace.
🔹 ISRAEL, GREECE HOLD MILITARY TALKS: Amid recent tensions with Turkey, IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir met with his Greek counterpart Dimitrios Choupis, who is in Israel for an official visit.
🔁 Know someone who should see this? Forward it.
🌐 Full updates & discussion: https://www.israelrealtime.com