A Palestinian source in Damascus refutes Israeli claims that Hamas and the PIJ have a military presence in Syria. Israeli officials assert that the new Syrian government poses threats to Israel, leading to recent air strikes. The source argues that Israel aims to dismantle military infrastructure within Syria and maintain its security interests amidst the ongoing conflict.
A Palestinian source in Damascus denied claims by Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar regarding Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s military presence in Syria. This statement was made to the Qatari news outlet, The New Arab, following Sa’ar’s assertion during a Brussels meeting that these entities were establishing an additional front against Israel. The source labeled these allegations as fabrications aimed at justifying Israel’s intentions in Syria post-Assad regime.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed recent Israeli Air Force strikes on Syrian regime positions, citing concerns over the new government’s alleged military deployment in demilitarized zones near Israel’s border. Katz described the Syrian government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa as a jihadist Islamist terror group, emphasizing Israel’s determination to maintain a strategic presence in southern Syria to counteract Iranian influence and potential terrorist threats.
The Palestinian source further elaborated that Israel seeks to exploit Syria’s precarious situation to dismantle its military infrastructure. Offices affiliated with Palestinian factions from the Assad era, including the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front and the PFLP – General Command, have reportedly been closed by the new government, limiting active Palestinian organizations in Syria primarily to Fatah.
Mu’ayyad Qabalan, a political researcher and advisor to the Syrian president, reiterated that Hamas’s presence in Syria is not tolerated and denounced Israel’s assertions as falsehoods. He argued that a weakened Syria is deemed beneficial for Israeli interests.
The article details the denial by a Palestinian source of Israeli claims regarding the presence of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Syria. It highlights Israel’s military actions in response to the new Syrian government’s maneuvers near its border. The narrative underscores Israel’s strategic interests in exploiting Syria’s turmoil while refuting accusations surrounding Palestinian factions’ activities there.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
