Israel Shares Sensitive Intelligence with US Ahead of Syria Airstrikes Amid Rising Tensions

A senior Israeli official confirmed in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday that Israel provided highly sensitive intelligence to Washington shortly before a series of airstrikes in Syria, which foreign reports attribute to the Israeli Air Force. The intelligence was shared directly with top-level officials in US intelligence and security agencies, reflecting close coordination between the two countries even after the fall of the Assad regime.

The official emphasized that the intelligence sharing included precise operational details delivered in real time to relevant American parties. Regarding Syria's new president, Ahmad al-Sharaa (also known as Julani), the source stated that he understands the new reality and recognizes that he cannot continue the previous regime's policies or allow proxy forces to operate freely within Syrian territory.

This disclosure comes amid heightened US criticism of the strikes attributed to Israel. Tom Barrett, the US president's envoy to Syria and Turkey, described the attacks as "unnecessary escalation" and asserted that the al-Sharaa government has not adopted a hostile stance nor supported proxy forces.

The intelligence sharing follows reports of at least four airstrikes targeting the Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province, about 70 kilometers from the Turkish border. The strikes focused on the runway, and while Israel has not officially confirmed involvement, Lebanese Al Mayadeen channel, linked to Hezbollah, suggested Israeli responsibility. Israel maintains its policy of neither confirming nor denying such operations.

In recent months, Israel has conducted extensive military actions in Syria, including a significant raid on military bases near Damascus involving elite forces deployed by helicopters and fighter jets. The Israeli Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, stated that Israel would not allow harm to the Druze community in Syria. The ongoing tension reflects Israel's efforts to prevent hostile forces from gaining a foothold in Syria, while the Trump administration seeks to give the new Syrian government a chance to prove it is not a threat.