Syria’s leader claims Israel uses Hamas conflict to justify aggression

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Syria’s interim president on Saturday accused Israel of fighting “ghosts” and searching for enemies following the war in Gaza.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa told an international conference that since he took power a year ago, he has been sending “positive messages regarding regional peace and stability.”

He said Israel has rejected his overtures, “extrapolating” its conflict with Hamas militants and justifying what he called aggression in the name of security. He promised Syria would not behave in that way.

“We are not concerned in being a country that exports conflict, including to Israel,” he told the Doha Forum.

Al-Sharaa, who was once detained by the U.S. for joining al-Qaida in Iraq, called on Israel to withdraw its forces from his country and to recommit to a 1974 truce agreement. He called on the international community to put pressure on Israel and expressed hope a formula could be reached to meet “reasonable” security demands.

“There are currently negotiations, and the United States is participating and engaged in those negotiations,” he said.

Since the fall of former Syrian President Bashar Assad in December 2024, Israel has held a slice of southern Syria that was previously a U.N.-patrolled buffer zone under a 1974 disengagement agreement.

Israel says it seized the 400-square-kilometer (155-square-mile) demilitarized buffer zone in southern Syria in a pre-emptive move to prevent militants from moving into the area after Islamist insurgents toppled Assad.

Israeli troops have regularly carried out operations in villages and towns inside and outside the zone, including raids snatching people it says are suspected militants. At least 13 people were killed in an Israeli operation against suspected militants last month.

Earlier this month, President Donald Trump said he was satisfied with al-Sharaa’s performance, and urged Israel not to “interfere” in Syria’s affairs.

“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,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

Israel has also launched hundreds of airstrikes on Syrian military sites and pushed for a demilitarized zone south of Damascus.