Katz rules out peace with Damascus, cites alleged Houthi activity in Syria

Israel’s defence minister, Israel Katz, said that Tel Aviv is not moving towards peace with Damascus, pointing to what he claimed was activity by Yemen’s Houthi group in Syria, as well as concerns over the Druze community.

Katz made the remarks during a closed session of the Knesset’s (Israeli parliament) Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee on Wednesday, according to the official broadcasting authority on Thursday.

He said, “Israel is not moving towards peace with Syria, because there are forces within its borders that are thinking of invading towns in the Golan,” referring to the Israeli-occupied region.

Israel has occupied the Syrian Golan Heights since the 5 June 1967 war and expanded its control following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in late 2024.

Katz claimed that “among the forces operating in Syria, which are seen as a threat of a ground invasion of northern Israel, are the Houthis.”

Israel has never before publicly claimed that Yemen’s Houthi group is active in Syria. There is no verified information on Houthi operations there, although the group has often launched missiles and drones at Israel from Yemen in response to the war in Gaza.

Katz added, “Israel takes such a scenario into account when it comes to protecting its northern border.”

He also raised the issue of the Druze in Syria, saying, “Another matter that concerns Israeli officials is the Druze issue in Syria.”

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