Haaretz criticized Israel’s attack on northern Syria in an editorial, focusing on the possibility of a direct confrontation with Türkiye. The newspaper warned that the decision taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could further increase regional tensions.
In an editorial published Sunday, Haaretz said Netanyahu had moved in northern Syria instead of Gaza, Lebanon or the West Bank as elections planned for October approach. The newspaper said the move was viewed as an initiative targeting Türkiye.
Airfield in Idlib hit in eight strikes
Israeli warplanes struck the runway of the Abu al-Duhur military airfield in Idlib province in northwestern Syria eight times last Tuesday. The attacks damaged the airfield’s infrastructure.
Sources at Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said no Turkish military mission was present at Abu al-Duhur Air Base before or during the attack.
Haaretz wrote that Netanyahu defended the attack on the grounds that it targeted the expansion of Türkiye’s presence in the region. The newspaper said Ankara and Washington rejected this assessment and accused Netanyahu of acting out of electoral considerations.
Warning of direct confrontation with Türkiye
Haaretz said Thomas Barrack, the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye and the U.S. president’s special envoy for Syria, had also said the attack could turn into a direct military confrontation between Israel and Türkiye. Barrack indicated that this could be Israel’s actual objective.
Barrack said Türkiye did not want to attack Israel or enter into a military confrontation with it. However, he warned that Israel could make “irrational decisions” on these matters under the influence of the election period.
Newspaper calls for diplomacy
Haaretz wrote that Israel’s military move came at a time when international powers were trying to establish stability in Syria. It said the primary goals of these efforts included preventing Iran and Russia from rebuilding their influence in Syria.
The newspaper argued that Israeli policies conflicted with these efforts. It said this approach could distance not only Syrians but also the international powers involved in the Syrian issue, particularly the United States, from Israel.
The editorial questioned whether the bombing could drive Türkiye away from Syria and whether diplomatic avenues had been exhausted. It warned about the consequences of Israel confronting Türkiye, a NATO member and close U.S. ally.
Haaretz said Israel needed to formulate a policy suited to the new conditions in the Middle East. Describing Netanyahu’s operation in northern Syria as “limited, dangerous and futile,” the newspaper said Israel was being left out as new alliances took shape in the region.
The newspaper also stressed that security and the prevention of threats could not be achieved through bombing alone, and that military methods could not replace systematic policy and diplomacy. It called on the Israeli government to heed Barrack’s warnings and avoid being drawn into a conflict with Türkiye.
Syria sends two letters to the United Nations
Following the attack on Abu al-Duhur Airfield, Syria sent separate letters to the United Nations and the United Nations Security Council. The letters, described as identical, said Israel’s ongoing attacks through bombardment, ground advances and abductions were obstructing efforts to establish stability and exposing the region to the threat of greater tension.
After the Syrian government was overthrown on December 8, 2024, Israel expanded the scope of its attacks to weapons and missile depots and strategic military positions across the country.
