Benjamin Netanyahu
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters after his meeting with the President of France Emmanuel Macron on Sunday, July 16 that Israel opposes the agreement on ceasefire in the South of Syria, made by the United States and Russia, as it underpins the Iranian presence in a neighboring country. This writes the newspaper Haaretz.
A senior Israeli official said, asking not to name his name that Israel knows about Iran’s intentions to significantly expand its presence in Syria. According to him, Tehran is not only interested in sending advisers to Syria, but also in the increase of the contingent of the armed forces, including the establishment of the air base for Iranian aircraft, as well as a naval base. “This changes the landscape of the region, in comparison with what was until now,” said the official.
The agreement provided for the establishment of zones of de-escalation, or safe zones along Syria’s borders with Jordan and Israel. Over the past month, Israel held talks on the issue with senior U.S. officials, where they presented a list of their demands — in particular to the Iranians, fighters of Hezbollah and other Shiite militias were not in the border area. Israel also said the United States, which opposes the Russian forces of the ceasefire in the security zone near the border.
July 9, Netanyahu said that Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. Secretary of state Rex Tillerson told him that they understand Israel’s position and consider his demands. However, as said a senior Israeli official, when the text of the transaction was obtained, it was found that contrary to expectations, the US and Russia almost completely ignored Israel’s position.
“The agreement, in the form in which it is now very bad,” said one senior Israeli officials. “It does not take into account little to no security interests of Israel, and this creates a disturbing reality in the South of Syria. The agreement did not contain any explicit words about Iran, Hezbollah, or Shia militias in Syria,” he explained.
On 7 July, after talks with US President Donald trump with Putin at the summit of “Big twenty” in Hamburg, it was announced that agreement has been reached on a ceasefire in the Syrian area of Dara’a and Quneitra.
Earlier, on may 4, countries-guarantors of a ceasefire in Syria — Russia, Turkey and Iran signed a Memorandum on creation of four security zones in Syria. They will act in Idlib province, in the territories of Latakia, Aleppo and Hama; in the North of HOMS province; in Eastern ghouta, on the South of Syria — the provinces of Deraa and Quneitra. There will be prohibited the use of weapons. It will also deliver humanitarian aid.