Footage aired by Channel 12 news showed Syrian Islamist rebels vowing to march on Jerusalem, declaring, "From here to Jerusalem, we're coming for Jerusalem."
The rebels made this statement from a mosque in Damascus, following a significant opposition advance that saw them capture the Syrian capital, toppling the Assad regime after five decades of rule.
The rebel spokesman, surrounded by armed fighters, urged "patience" to the people of Gaza, while the group chanted "Allahu akbar" ("God is greatest").
The identity of the group behind the statement remains unclear, but one of the most powerful factions, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, has recently taken control of Aleppo and expressed a commitment to protecting minorities in areas under their control.
Despite this, their presence has raised concerns about the potential for reprisals.
In response to the chaos in Syria following Assad's fall, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) took control of the buffer zone along the Israeli-Syrian border on December 8, 2024.
According to Times of Israel, the IDF emphasized that the move was temporary and defensive in nature.
With Syria in political turmoil, Israel is closely monitoring developments, including the rise of various rebel groups near its borders.
This latest escalation adds to the ongoing tensions in the region, as both Israel and Syria face increased instability amidst the fall of the Assad regime.
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