Israel's Netanyahu Responds to Donald Trump Warning ...

By Amira El-Fekki‎ and Shane CroucherShareNewsweek is a Trust Project member

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a deal was possible with Syria if the two sides could negotiate in "a good spirit".

It followed U.S. President Donald Trump's warning to Israel not to "interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous State" and urging it to have "a strong and true dialogue" with Damascus.

"What we expect Syria to do, of course, is to establish a demilitarized buffer zone from Damascus to the buffer zone area, including, of course, the approaches to Mount Hermon and the summit of Mount Hermon," Netanyahu said in a statement on Tuesday.

"We hold these territories to ensure the security of the citizens of Israel, and that is what obligates us.

"In a good spirit and understanding of these principles, it is also possible to reach an agreement with the Syrians, but we will stand by our principles in any case."

The remarks come as tensions escalate along Israel’s northern border.

Israeli forces raided a Syrian village on Friday and opened fire when confronted by residents, killing at least 13 people in the deadliest Israeli attack since its troops seized territory in southern Syria a year ago.

Trump had said in a Truth Social post on Monday that his administration is “very satisfied” with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa’s efforts to stabilize the country as it approaches the one-year anniversary of Bashar al-Assad’s ousting.

This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.