section_path: Political positions/Views on Israel and Gaza
section_name: Views on Israel and Gaza
paragraph_text: Views on Israel and Gaza
  
  In an interview with the Syria TV news channel regarding the ongoing Israeli invasion of Syria, al-Sharaa said that after the fall of the Assad regime, Israel no longer has "any excuses" for attacking Syrian territory. He also spoke of "diplomatic solutions" as the only way to ensure security instead of "ill-considered military adventures ". Al-Sharaa reportedly told a group of journalists that HTS would continue to uphold the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement that ended the Yom Kippur War. In an interview with The New York Times in December 2024, he reaffirmed Syria's commitment to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Israel, which was signed following the October 1973 war to separate the warring forces on both sides. He stated, "Israel intended to enter Syria under the pretext of the Iranian presence, and its pretext has now ended."
  
  On 14 December 2024, al-Sharaa clarified that his administration was not interested in engaging in a new conflict with Israel, emphasizing that Syria's priority was rebuilding after years of war. He noted that the country's deteriorating situation did not permit further hostilities and that maintaining state stability was paramount. al-Sharaa stressed that diplomatic solutions were the only viable path to ensuring security and long-term stability in the region.
  
  On 11 February 2025, al-Sharaa stated in an interview with The Rest Is Politics that Trump's proposed United States takeover of the Gaza Strip would not succeed, asserting that no power can drive people from their land. He noted that many countries have tried and failed, especially during the recent war in Gaza. His statement came after a joint press conference in which U.S. President Donald Trump used strong language, declaring that the U.S. would "take over the Gaza Strip; we'll own it."
  
  On 4 March 2025, at the extraordinary Arab League summit on Gaza, al-Sharaa condemned calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling them a threat to all Arabs.
  
  In an interview with the Jewish Journal on 28 May 2025, al-Sharaa addressed Syria's future relationship with Israel. He said, "I want to be clear: the era of endless tit-for-tat bombings must end. No nation prospers when its skies are filled with fear. The reality is, we have common enemies, and we can play a major role in regional security."