Russia agrees to Israeli army act in Syria: Israeli military analysts

QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – On Friday, Israeli military analysts on both Channel 12 and 13 said that during the meeting that brought together Russian President Vladimir Putin and Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, they agreed to Israel maintaining its freedom of action in Syria, but had asked for additional advanced warning of strikes.

However, there was no confirmation from the Kremlin or Russian comment following the meeting.

“The two countries continued to work at avoiding conflict over Syria,” Israeli Housing and Construction Minister Zeev Elkin who acted as an interpreter for Bennett during his talks with Putin, said.

“It was decided to keep policies vis-à-vis Russia in place (regarding airstrikes in Syrian territory.)” The Times of Israel cited Elkin as saying.

Both countries established a military hotline to coordinate air force operations over Syria to avoid clashes. Israel often attacks Iranian-linked targets in Syria, while Russia has provided support to the Syrian government, ABC News reported.

It said that Israel views Iranian entrenchment on its northern frontier as a red line, and it has repeatedly struck what it says are Iran-linked facilities and weapons convoys destined for Lebanese Hezbollah.

Russia and Israel have developed close political, economic and cultural ties that have helped the two countries tackle delicate and divisive issues.