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U.S. Congress members from both parties demanded that Israel immediately cease hostilities against Syria, responding to recent Israeli attacks that "destabilize" the war-torn nation's recovery efforts.
Democratic Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Republican Senator Joni Ernst, and Republican Representative Joe Wilson issued a joint statement on Thursday condemning Israel's actions, following their recent visit to Syria, where they supported lifting U.S. sanctions.
"Syria needs a chance to succeed after more than 14 years of violence and conflict that have consumed the country. Last night's destabilizing attacks by Israel on Syria make achieving this goal even more difficult," the lawmakers stated.
The bipartisan group emphasized the critical need for Syrian stability to counter regional threats.
"We call on Israel to seize this opportunity and immediately cease hostilities, so that Syrians and the progress noted by Special Representative Tom Barrack can continue," they said.
"The only way to eliminate Iranian influence and control the Daesh threat is a stable and secure Syria," they noted.
The congressional response follows an Aug. 27 Israeli drone strike in the Quswa region of Damascus countryside that killed six Syrian soldiers. Israeli forces subsequently conducted multiple airstrikes on Mount Mani in the same region.
Israel has deepened its occupation of Syrian territory beyond the Golan Heights, which it has controlled since 1967. On Dec. 8, 2024, Israeli forces occupied the buffer zone adjacent to the Golan Heights and advanced beyond it, reaching within 20 kilometers of Damascus.
The 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between the two countries established boundaries for the buffer zone and demilitarized areas in the Golan Heights.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has signaled that the occupation in southern Syria will be permanent and demanded the demilitarization of Syria's southern region, contrary to Syrian sovereignty.
Israel intervened in clashes that erupted July 13 in Sweida in southern Syria, attacking positions near the Syrian army, the Presidential compound in Damascus, and the General Staff building.
In a related development, Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich unveiled a plan to turn the northern Gaza Strip into a "war zone where Hamas fighters will die of hunger and thirst."
According to Israel Hayom newspaper, Smotrich called during a press conference for transforming areas north of Gaza City into "a war zone where only Hamas fighters will remain and die of hunger and thirst."
The minister advocated for the Israeli army to implement a comprehensive blockade in the northern Gaza areas and demanded "gradual annexation" of the Gaza territories.
Smotrich also called for implementing U.S. President Donald Trump's plan for displacing Palestinians from Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has announced instructions to accelerate Gaza's annexation, while international organizations warn this would lead to "Gaza's complete destruction and mass displacement."
Two Lebanese soldiers were killed when an Israeli explosive-laden drone they were examining detonated in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's official news agency NNA.
The Israeli drone fell on construction equipment in Naqoura, a town affiliated with Tyre. The device exploded while being inspected, killing two Lebanese soldiers.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun sent condolences to the Lebanese army, stating: "The army is paying with its blood the price of maintaining stability in the south."
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam called Defense Minister Michel Menassa to extend condolences, saying: "The army is the security valve, the fortress of sovereignty, and the pillar of national unity."
Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee announced on X (formerly Twitter) that an investigation was launched into the deaths of the two Lebanese soldiers.
Adraee stated that the Israeli army attempted to attack what it claimed was a Hezbollah fortification vehicle in Naqoura with a drone. He noted the munition did not explode and fell to the ground.
"Later, there were reports of several Lebanese soldiers being injured in the same area," Adraee said, expressing the Israeli army's regret over the incident and confirming an investigation into whether Lebanese soldiers were injured due to the explosion of Israeli munitions.
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