Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had a “very warm” telephone conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump, during which they discussed the need for an Israeli victory in his country. war against Hamas in Gaza and its position on Syria.

In a video statement, the Israeli leader said he discussed a series of issues with Trump during Saturday evening’s call, including Israel’s commitment to preventing Lebanon-based Hezbollah from rearming and the conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has killed nearly 45,000 Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. band.

The leaders also discussed the need to repatriate the remaining hostages in Gaza, Netanyahu said.

“I discussed all this again last night with my friend, US President-elect Donald Trump,” Netanyahu said.

“It was a very friendly, very warm and very important conversation. We spoke about the need to complete Israel’s victory and we also spoke at length about our efforts to free our hostages.”

Hamas and other groups reportedly still hold 100 hostages in Gaza, including seven Americans. All but four hostages were captured during the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Netanyahu said Israel continues to “work tirelessly to bring home our hostages, alive and dead.” And I add that the less we talk about it, the better, and so with God’s help we will succeed.

CNN has reached out to the Trump transition team for comment.

“No interest in confronting” Syria

On Syria, where a rebel coalition toppled President Bashar al-Assad’s regime last weekend after a lightning advance across the country, Netanyahu said Israel had “no interest in a conflict” with the country, but would adjust its policy according to “emerging reality on the ground.

His latest comments come after Israeli forces, following the fall of Assad, took control of long-held territory. buffer zone that separated Israeli and Syrian forces for decades – a decision criticized by the rebels now ruling Syria and some of the country’s neighbors.

Israeli officials said the measure was temporary and Netanyahu had previously insisted that Israel had “no intention” of intervening in Syria’s internal affairs.

However, in his statement on Sunday, the Israeli leader noted that Syria had “allowed Iran to arm Hezbollah through its territory” and said Israel was committed to preventing the militant group from rearm.

“This is an ongoing test for Israel, we must meet it – and we will. I say to Hezbollah and Iran in clear terms: to prevent you from harming us, we will continue to act against you as necessary, in all areas and at all times,” he said.

Israel reached a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah in November after a 13-month conflict largely fought along the Israel-Lebanon border, during which Israel killed a series of high-ranking Hezbollah commanders . The continuation of tit-for-tat strikes has put a strain on the agreement.

Golan Settlement Expansion Project

Israel’s control of the buffer zone has added to tensions with Syria due to its decades-long presence in the Golan Heights, a strategic plateau in southwest Syria that Israel has occupied since the 1967 war. Syria attempted to retake the territory in a surprise attack in 1967-1973, but failed and Israel annexed it in 1981.

Since Assad’s fall last week, the Israeli army has also taken control of Mount Hermon, which borders the Golan Heights and is in the buffer zone that previously separated troops from the two sides.

Despite Israel’s insistence that the move was temporary, several Arab states have accused Israel of exploiting instability in Syria to execute a land grab, while the rebel coalition now in charge of Syria has accused of “crossing lines of engagement”.

Adding to these tensions, the Israeli government on Sunday approved a plan by Netanyahu to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights, according to a statement from the prime minister’s office.

“In light of the war and the new front against Syria, and with the aim of doubling the population of the Golan Heights, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today submitted for government approval the first amendment to the plan to to encourage population growth in the Golan Heights. and Katzrin Heights,” the release said. Katzrin is an Israeli settlement in the Golan.

The plan “will help the Golan Regional Council absorb the new residents who will arrive,” the statement added.

“Strengthening the Golan Heights strengthens the State of Israel, and that is particularly important at this time. We will continue to preserve it, make it prosper and resolve it,” Netanyahu said, according to the statement.

The occupation is illegal under international law, but the United States recognized Israel’s claim to the Golan under the Trump administration in 2019. Israel does not consider its presence in the Golan a colony.

Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar have condemned the plan to expand the Golan colony. Qatar said it considered the expansion plan a “blatant violation of international law” and further aggression against Syrian territories; Saudi Arabia said the move would derail Syria’s chances of restoring security and stability.

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