Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is worried about Turkey’s strong relationship with the new Syrian administration. It was reported that he will address “Turkey’s growing dominance in Syria” in the security meeting on Syria that will take place today. According to the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, Netanyahu will hold a meeting with security officials on the “increasing influence of Turkey” in the country following the fall of the Ba’ath regime in Syria on December 8, 2024. An article on Channel 12 television in Israel also mentioned that Prime Minister Netanyahu is closely monitoring the rapprochement between the new administration in Syria and Turkey with concern. The report stated that during the security meeting on Syria this evening, Netanyahu will discuss “Turkey’s increasing dominance in Syria.”

ALLEGATION OF TURKISH MILITARY BASE IN PALMYRA Additionally, the Walla news website claimed that the Syrian government is in advanced talks with Ankara to transfer a military base in the town of Palmyra in the Homs province in exchange for economic, military, and political aid. The presence of “Turkish military forces” east of Homs reportedly significantly worries Israel. It was reported that previous security meetings evaluated that a confrontation between Turkey and Israel in Syria is inevitable. Following intensified conflicts in Syria on November 27, 2024, coupled with the fall of the 61-year-old Ba’ath regime on December 8, 2024, the Israeli military escalated attacks in Syria. The Israeli army continues to destroy the military infrastructure and capabilities left by the regime, expanding its occupation in the Golan Heights, which are part of Syrian territory.