New allies. Old enemies. No backup.
Trump's Forming a Terror-Tinged Alliance—And Israel’s Northern Border Is the Target
A U.S.-Turkey-Syria alliance is taking shape, leaving Israel scrambling to secure its northern front. That's why the IDF is digging in on Syrian soil.
Israel is digging in on Syrian soil, terrified by the possibility of another October 7-style attack from the north. The IDF’s grip on pivotal areas like Mount Hermon and a buffer zoner is strategic, a firewall against terrorists slipping into border towns. But a new Middle East power play is putting Israel on edge.
A budding alliance between U.S. President Donald Trump, Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and Syria’s new boss, ex-jihadist Abu Mohammad al-Julani, has Jerusalem rattled.
Trump’s (very) quick move to lift sanctions on Syria after a high-profile meet with al-Julani and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman drew fire from Israel’s Republican Party for skipping hard guarantees against terrorism. “Israel’s left holding the bag,” a senior official told Israel Hayom, pointing to similar binds with Yemen’s Houthis and Iran.
Al-Julani’s suit can’t hide his ties to terror groups that butcher Syria’s minorities and eye Israel next. The IDF has already gutted much of Assad’s war machine, and his fall cut Iran’s lifeline to Hezbollah, a major win. Still, al-Julani’s true colors are murky (and that's putting it politely). Talks between Israel and Syria, noted by al-Julani in Paris, aim to size up his regime.
Meir Ben-Shabbat, former National Security Council chief, told Israel Hayom Israel must lock in its Syrian security zone, keep a free hand to squash threats, boot out anti-Israel terror cells, and pitch Syria as a spot for Gaza migrants per Trump’s plan, all as leverage for U.S. recognition of Damascus. Israel’s strikes have crippled Syria’s air force, but the will to fight Israel persists.
With Turkey cozying up to the U.S. and Syria, Israel’s on its own again.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who pledged IDF presence in Syria through 2025, now faces a ticking clock to rethink strategy as threats grow ever closer.
Israel Hayom contributed to this article.