Tel aviv: Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared that Israel is not progressing towards peace with Syria, citing the presence of the Yemeni Houthi group in the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, during a private session of the Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee, Katz asserted that forces within Syria are contemplating an invasion of Golan towns, thereby hindering peace efforts. He further alleged that the Houthis are operating in Syria and accused them of plotting a 'ground invasion' of northern Israel.

Katz also expressed concerns about the Druze community in Syria, as reported by the public broadcaster KAN. He warned that the Israeli army is prepared to 'intervene once again, including by closing the border,' should any incidents occur in southern Syria.

There has been no response from Syrian authorities or the Houthi group regarding Katz's allegations. Historically, Syrian officials have consistently maintained that all sects in the country are granted equal rights and have accused Israel of exploiting the Druze issue to meddle in Syria's internal matters.

In a backdrop of escalating tensions, recent Israeli-Syrian discussions have aimed at establishing security arrangements, potentially leading to Israel's withdrawal from the Syrian buffer zone occupied in December 2024. Following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, Israel expanded its control over the Syrian Golan Heights by seizing the demilitarized buffer zone, contravening the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Syria.

Government data reveals that since December 2024, the Israeli military has conducted over 1,000 airstrikes on Syrian territory and more than 400 cross-border raids into the southern provinces.