{
  "id": 3370275,
  "title": "Israeli Defense Minister enters Syrian territory, says \"won't back down from military action\"; Syria \"condemns\"\n\nIsraeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman entered a Syrian military outpost in the Golan Heights on Sunday, in an apparent show of force, saying Israel would not be deterred from taking military action.\n\nThe visit came as Israeli forces have been on high alert along the Syrian border following a series of incidents.\n\nSyria's government condemned the visit, saying it was a \"clear and blatant aggression\" against Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.\n\nMr. Lieberman made the comments during a visit to an Israeli military outpost near the Syrian border.\n\nHe said Israel would not be swayed from taking military action if it felt threatened.\n\nThe Israeli military has been on high alert in the region following a series of incidents along the border.\n\nTensions have been running high since a Syrian drone entered Israeli airspace last week.\n\nIsrael responded by scrambling fighter jets and striking a Syrian air defense site.\n\nThe two countries have been technically at war since 1967.\n\nMr. Lieberman's visit was seen as a show of force and a warning to Syria.\n\nThe Syrian government strongly condemned the visit, saying it was a clear violation of Syria's sovereignty.\n\nThe government said in a statement that it \"strongly condemns\" the visit, adding that it was a \"blatant aggression\" against Syria's territorial integrity.\n\nThe incident has raised concerns about the escalation of tensions between the two countries.\n\nThe United Nations has called for calm and restraint.\n\nUN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged both sides to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that could escalate tensions.\n\nThe situation remains volatile, with both sides on high alert.\n\nThe incident has raised concerns about the potential for further escalation.\n\nThe international community is watching closely, calling for calm and restraint.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/story-3370275",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-25T21:12:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hankyoreh",
    "slug": "hankyoreh",
    "url": "https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/international/arabafrica/1274656.html"
  },
  "original_language": "ko",
  "account": "Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, visited a military base in southern Syria where Israeli troops are stationed, claiming they would not allow the troops to leave. Syria reacted to this move, viewing it as a violation of its territory and sovereignty. According to AFP, on the 25th (local time), Katz stated that \"in this area, threats are neutralized daily by removing remnants of Syria's regime and preventing the rise of a dangerous new government.\" He addressed Syrian interim President Ahmad Shaaraw, saying, \"When the morning sun rises over Damascus' presidential palace and Mount Hermon, we will still be here to protect our community and borders.\" He reiterated, \"As long as there is a threat, the Israeli army will remain here for the purpose of ensuring security.\" Katz warned, \"The actions we have taken so far are precisely this, and we will continue to do so.\" The so-called \"Safety Zone\" refers to territories captured by Israel in Syria, Lebanon's southern part, and the Gaza Strip. Israel claims the zone is a buffer zone to prevent attacks by terror groups. In response to Katz's visit, Israel conducted eight airstrikes on an airbase in northern Syria on July 18, claiming the base was being used by Turkish forces to maintain a presence near the border. Syria's government strongly condemned the violation of its sovereignty, stating, \"Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz illegally entered Syria and crossed the international border,\" adding, \"This is a blatant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.\" The foreign ministry appealed to the international community to take necessary measures to halt the occupying force's repeated violations.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}