US President Donald Trump on Monday cautioned Israel against actions that could further destabilize Syria, following a recent Israeli military operation that left 13 people dead. The message came shortly after Trump held a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during which he also extended an invitation for another White House meeting, according to Netanyahu’s office.
Trump publicly emphasized the need for restraint, stressing that Israel must prioritize open communication with Syria’s new leadership. “It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria’s evolution into a prosperous State,” he wrote on Truth Social.
Over the past year, Trump has been championing a proposed security pact between Israel and Syria, following President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s rise to power after the overthrow of former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad. Although Washington has backed Sharaa and lifted sanctions to support Syria’s rebuilding efforts, ongoing Israeli strikes have intensified tensions between the two countries.
The latest incident occurred Friday, when Israeli forces carried out one of their deadliest operations in months in the southern village of Beit Jin, killing 13. Syrian officials denounced the strike as a “war crime,” while Israel claimed it was targeting militants belonging to Jamaa Islamiya, a Lebanon-based Islamist organization aligned with Hamas.
Trump said he remains “very satisfied” with Syria’s progress under Sharaa, who visited the White House earlier this month. He reiterated his belief that Sharaa is committed to restoring stability and building a future in which Syria and Israel can develop “a long and prosperous relationship.”
The US president also described his broader vision for regional peace, noting that improved ties between Israel and Syria would complement recent diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, including the fragile Gaza ceasefire achieved in October. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the leaders discussed expanding regional peace frameworks during their call.
Netanyahu, who has visited Trump more frequently than any other foreign leader since Trump’s return to the presidency, reaffirmed Israel’s intention to continue targeting militant groups beyond its borders, despite ongoing ceasefires with Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu faced criticism from Damascus and other regional actors after he visited Israeli troops stationed in the buffer zone on the Golan Heights, an area separating Syrian and Israeli forces since 1974.
