A Palestinian source claims no military presence of Hamas or Islamic Jihad in Syria, contradicting Israeli Foreign Minister Sa’ar’s allegations. The Israeli Defense Minister confirmed recent military actions against the Syrian regime. The new Syrian government has reportedly closed Palestinian offices, with only Fatah remaining active. Analysts suggest Israel aims to exploit the Syrian situation to undermine Palestinian military infrastructure.
A Palestinian source based in Damascus has stated that neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Islamic Jihad maintains a military presence in Syria. This assertion was made in response to Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar’s comments, which suggested that these groups are operating in Syria to establish an additional front against Israel. Sa’ar’s remarks occurred during a meeting with senior European officials in Brussels, where he characterized the newly formed Syrian government as a “Jihadist Islamist terror group.”
The Palestinian source dismissed Sa’ar’s allegations as fabrications intended to obscure Israel’s intentions following the potential fall of the Assad regime. On a related note, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the Israeli Air Force had targeted Syrian regime positions after the new government’s attempts to deploy military forces near the Israeli border. Katz emphasized that Israeli operations in southern Syria would persist indefinitely to mitigate any threats from Iran and to protect Israel’s security.
The Palestinian source further outlined that Israel aims to utilize the precarious situation in Syria to diminish the military capacities of Palestinian factions. Notably, it was reported that the new Syrian government has curtailed the operations of Palestinian offices previously established under the Assad regime. Presently, only Fatah remains operational, while other organizations have transitioned to charity or relief activities.
Mu’ayyad Qabalan, a political researcher and adviser to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, echoed these sentiments, asserting that Hamas’s presence in Syria is “not permitted” and characterizing Israel’s claims as “fabrications.” He posited that a weakened Syria serves Israel’s strategic interests.
In summary, a Palestinian source in Damascus refutes Israel’s claims regarding Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad operating in Syria, calling them mere fabrications. Israeli officials argue that the new Syrian government represents an Islamist threat and maintain ongoing military operations in southern Syria. The recent changes in Syrian governance have reportedly restricted the activities of Palestinian factions, with Fatah being the primary organization still active. Political analysts note that Israel’s strategy capitalizes on Syria’s dire circumstances.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
