The weapons posed an international threat as well as a threat to Israel's maritime navigation abilities, the IDF statement said. Defense Minister Israel Katz said that the strikes were done to defend Israel's security. "The IDF attacked and destroyed strategic weapons across Syria this evening that posed an immediate threat to the State of Israel. We will not allow threats, and no party will have immunity – we will continue to defend Israel’s security."
This comes after news this week that Israel and Syria are in direct contact and have, in recent weeks, held face-to-face meetings aimed at calming tensions and preventing conflict in the border region between the two longtime foes. The contacts mark a significant development in ties between states that have been on opposite sides of conflict in the Middle East for decades, as the US encourages the new Islamist rulers in Damascus to establish relations with Israel and Israel eases its bombardment of Syria. (Read More)
