Israel Defense Minister disputes US envoy over Syria airstrike

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has rejected criticisms from US Ambassador to Turkey and special envoy for Syria, Tom Barrack, regarding an Israeli airstrike on the Abu al-Duhur air base in Syria. Katz described Barrack’s claims as ‘full of inaccuracies’ and noted they contradict the position of US President Donald Trump regarding the Golan Heights.

Katz asserted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) repeatedly recommended the strike to prevent Turkish military developments that could threaten Israeli security. He stated that Israel possessed clear intelligence regarding Turkish intentions at the base and that the government had provided high-level warnings to the Syrian government and informed US authorities prior to the operation.

This dispute follows Barrack’s assertion that the strike was an ‘unnecessary escalation’ that nearly led to direct military confrontation between Israel and Turkey, claiming Ankara considered scrambling fighter jets after detecting Israeli aircraft. Barrack also suggested the strike might be a political maneuver by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of Israel’s upcoming elections.