Netanyahu Disputes Syrian Claim Russia Will Impede Israeli Airstrikes

Israel will continue air strikes in Syria if it deems it necessary, despite reports indicating otherwise, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday at a press briefing, Haaretz reported.

"We have a policy on this matter, and it won't change," Netanyahu said.

"If there's intelligence and operational feasibility, we strike, and we will continue to do so," he said. 

Reports Sunday indicated otherwise. 

Bashar Jaafari, Syria's ambassador to the United Nations, told a Syrian TV station Israel's freedom to strike at will was over, following an Israeli airstrike Friday which Syria responded to with missiles of its own. According to reports, the Israeli strike hit close to Russian troops, prompting Moscow to query the Israeli ambassador to Russia about the events.

"Russia has sent a clear message to Israel that the rules of the game have changed in Syria, and its freedom to act in Syrian skies is over," Jaafari said.

"Putin sent a clear message."

Netanyahu disputed those claims and said it would continue to impede attempts by Iran to smuggle weapons into Lebanon via Syria.

"My policy is consistent, and this is also what I told Putin," he said. "We will not allow Israel to be attacked from Syrian territory, and we will not tolerate the transfer of advanced weaponry of those entering Syria — Hezbollah — to the extent that we detect it."

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