Netanyahu says Israeli forces will stay in a buffer zone on the Syrian border until another arrangement is found "that ensures Israel’s security.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed the country’s military to remain in the area of Syria’s Mount Hermon until at least the end of 2025, a source with knowledge of the matter told CNN on Wednesday.

Israeli bombing in Gaza kills at least seven, bringing the death toll to 50 over the past day. Turkiye’s foreign minister meets Syria’s new administration, pledging support for political transition.

Germany warned Turkey of stepping up military action against Kurdish armed groups in the north of Syria. Mourners carry the coffin of a member of the Women's Protection Units (YPJ), who was killed during a Turkish drone strike in the countryside of Kobani, during her funeral in Syria's northeastern city of Qamishli. AFP

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu entered Syrian territory on Tuesday during a security tour of the buffer zone seized by Israel in the days since the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The previously unannounced trip highlighted Israel’s expanded military presence across the de facto border with Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, entered Syrian territory Tuesday and said Israeli troops would remain in the area

Ankara's growing military presence in Syria has led to a diplomatic clash between former allies Israel and Turkey. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has supported Hamas, even hinting at some sort of armed intervention.

During his visit to the Syrian side of Mount Hermon on Tuesday, Netanyahu was joined by Herzi Halevi, the military chief of staff, and other officials. Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israelis would maintain their presence in the zone for an undermined period — and also signaled skepticism about HTS, which has its roots in Al Qaeda.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces will stay in a buffer zone on the Syrian border, and specifically on the summit of Mount Hermon, “until another arrangement is found that will ensure Israel’s security.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Israeli forces will stay in a buffer zone on the Syrian border, seized after the ouster of Syrian President Bashar Assad, until another arrangement is in place “that ensures Israel’s security.