Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel has established a “security belt” in Syria to confront what he described as the possibility of a “jihadist invasion” from Syrian territory.

Netanyahu made the remarks in an interview with Israel’s Channel 9, which was reported by Israeli media, following the latest escalation and Israeli strikes targeting Abu al-Duhur Airbase in the Idlib countryside (northwestern Syria), amid Israeli statements rejecting any expansion of Turkey’s military presence inside Syrian territory.

Netanyahu said Israel decided to establish a “security belt” in Syria to prevent a possible “jihadist invasion” from Syrian territory. He added that Turkey is present in northern Syria and has an area of deployment there, but stressed that he “does not want to see Turkey moving south.”

Netanyahu said he conveyed this message to the Syrian side, calling on Syria not to advance south or allow Turkish forces to move in that direction. He said he also delivered the message to Turkey itself.

According to Netanyahu, there had been a “status quo” in the area, but he said it was violated or there was an intention to violate it. He added that, through the United States and other channels, as well as directly to Syria, he conveyed a message that Israel would not tolerate Turkish fortifications or a Turkish military deployment at an airbase south of the area where Turkish forces are currently stationed.

He said the message did not have the intended effect, adding that Israel was forced to deliver it through what he described as “kinetic” means, referring to the use of military force.

Netanyahu linked his remarks to Israel’s recent strikes in Syria, noting that Israel targeted Abu al-Duhur Airbase on August 21.

Netanyahu stressed that he is not seeking a conflict, but said Israel “cannot rely only on the enemy’s intentions.” He added, “When you are weak, they attack you, and when you are strong, they respect you,” linking this to his belief that strength makes peace possible.

Katz: We Will Not Withdraw From the Security Zone

Netanyahu’s remarks came days after Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli army would not withdraw from the buffer zone it controls in southern Syria as long as what he described as “jihadist” threats to Israel remain.

During a visit to Israeli forces in southern Syria on August 25, Katz said the army “will not move from Mount Hermon and the security zone” as long as jihadist threats against Israel persist. Addressing the Syrian president, he said the presence of Israeli forces on Mount Hermon should serve as confirmation that they are there to defend Israeli settlements and Israel’s borders.

Katz added during the visit that Israel had acted against a Turkish attempt to establish a military presence in Syria that he said would have endangered Israeli security interests, referring to the strike on Abu al-Duhur Airbase. He said Israel had made its position clear and would continue to act accordingly in the future.

On August 25, Damascus issued a statement rejecting Katz’s visit to southern Syria, describing it as an illegal entry into Syrian territory and a violation of the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. It called on the international community to take measures to stop what it described as repeated Israeli violations.

Movement Toward a Security Agreement

A report published by al-Monitor on August 26 said Israel has begun “recalibrating” its policy toward Syria and is exploring a path that could lead to a security agreement, while also seeking to ease tensions with Turkey and repair relations with US envoy to Syria Thomas Barrack.

According to the report, Mossad chief Roman Gofman was tasked with leading this track as the administration of US President Donald Trump presses for an agreement between Israel and Syria.

Al-Shaibani and Gofman Meet

The importance of the security track became clearer with the disclosure of a meeting in Jordan between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and Israeli Mossad chief Roman Gofman.

According to Axios on August 23, the meeting was held with the aim of reducing tensions between Damascus and Tel Aviv following the Israeli strike on Abu al-Duhur Airbase in the Idlib countryside.

The information indicated that the meeting took place amid continuing disagreements over military and security developments inside Syria, while a source familiar with the meeting described the talks as “productive.”

Abu al-Duhur: Escalation That Prompted De-escalation

The meeting came days after Israel targeted Abu al-Duhur Airbase in the Idlib countryside.

Israel said the strike was linked to concerns over a possible Turkish military presence at the base, while Damascus denied that there was a plan to turn the site into a Turkish base.

According to US envoy Thomas Barrack, the strike reflected an Israeli belief, whether right or wrong, that Turkey might increase its presence at the base in the coming period.

Barrack said the development underscored the need to create a mechanism to prevent clashes between Israel, Turkey, and Syria, noting that Washington is working on a mechanism for information sharing and dialogue among the three parties.

Israel says its presence in the buffer zone is intended to protect its borders, while Damascus considers the Israeli presence and military operations inside Syrian territory a violation of Syrian sovereignty. The issue of Israel’s deployment in southern Syria therefore remains one of the main sources of tension along the Syrian-Israeli border.