Presence of Israeli forces in Syrian territory 'temporary', says Israeli Foreign Minister

Smoke rises, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus.

Credit: Reuters File Photo

The presence of Israeli forces in Syrian territory is a “limited, temporary” step meant to ensure Israel’s security during the confusion after the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday.

“The only interest we have is the security of Israel,” he told a news conference in Jerusalem.

Saar also spoke about deadlocked negotiations with Hamas on a release of hostages in Gaza, saying indirect talks were ongoing, without elaborating. He said Israel could be more optimistic about an eventual breakthrough but was not there yet.