Tensions between Israel and Turkey have intensified following the latest developments in Syria, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz accusing Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of pulling Turkey into “dangerous adventures” in the country.
In a statement posted on X, Katz said Israel would not tolerate any action it believes threatens its national security.
“Israel will not allow any entity to threaten its security,” Katz wrote.
He also warned Erdoğan against testing Israel’s resolve, saying it would be better for the Turkish president to continue making “empty and illusory speeches” against Israel in the Turkish parliament than to challenge Israel militarily.
Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel opposes the deployment of Turkish troops in Syria.
“We will not tolerate a Turkish military presence in Syria that threatens Israel. We made our message clear: Don’t. Apparently, they did not hear it clearly enough, so we made sure they understood it better,” Netanyahu said.
Turkey’s presidency rejected the accusations, saying Ankara “will not fall into the trap” set by Israel.
The Turkish presidency’s communications director said Turkey has enough experience not to be drawn into provocations by leaders such as Netanyahu, whom he accused of undermining peace and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, in Israel, opposition leader Yair Golan criticized Israel’s strike in Syria, calling it “provocative and dangerous.” He warned that the operation brings Israel closer to a direct confrontation with Turkey and deepens divisions with key allies, particularly the United States.
The United States is now working to establish a deconfliction mechanism between Israel, Turkey and Syria to prevent further escalation.
U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack confirmed that Turkey was not informed in advance about Israel’s airstrikes on a Syrian air base near the Turkish border.
Barrack said Ankara observed Israeli aircraft heading north toward its territory and could have reasonably prepared a military response, but added that “cooler heads prevailed,” preventing the situation from escalating further.
According to Barrack, Washington’s immediate priority is to reduce tensions and create space for a more measured approach among all parties.
