Syria

Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is living in Russia. A Syrian court sentenced him to death after convicting him in absentia of crimes against the Syrian people. A similar sentence was handed down to his brother, Maher al-Assad.

IDF forces detained three Israelis who crossed the border into Syria near the Mount Hermon ridge. The military is calling on law enforcement to take tougher action against a phenomenon it says is growing week by week and endangering both soldiers and the people crossing.

A Syrian facility dating back to the Assad regime stored nuclear material that could be used to make a “dirty bomb.” Israel reportedly threatened to strike the site unless the material was removed. Under an understanding reached with the United States and Syria, International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors will take the material out of the country.

Syrian security forces say they arrested nine ISIS operatives in the Quneitra area, near the Israeli border. The operation comes as Damascus continues pursuing security talks with Israel while also intercepting weapons-smuggling attempts.

Syria says it has reached a “memorandum of understanding” with Russia on the future of Russia’s presence at two strategic bases along Syria’s coast: the naval facility in Tartus and the air base in Hmeimim.

The Syrian president seeks Israeli withdrawal and an end to military operations before considering full peace, while retaining Damascus’s claim to the Golan

Two Israeli civilians reached the Mount Hermon area and crossed the border into Syrian territory. An IDF force dispatched to the scene located them, brought them back into ישראל, and turned them over to Israel Police.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa told Al Jazeera that he is working to reach an agreement with the State of Israel in partnership with several countries. He added that "we have no intention of carrying out any military intervention in Lebanon."

Dozens of activists from a civilian right-wing movement have crossed the border into Syria in recent months and were brought back by the IDF. Security officials warn of a serious operational danger, but so far no indictments have been filed in the case.

President Donald Trump weighed in on the situation in southern Lebanon. In a conversation with Syrian President Mahmoud al-Sharaa, the American president once again raised the idea that Syria could deal with Hezbollah. Israel and Lebanon are expected to hold another round of talks in about two weeks.

A series of explosions struck near French President Emmanuel Macron's hotel during his landmark visit to Damascus, killing three people and prompting a major security operation as Syria seeks international support for reconstruction

A powerful explosion at a cafe in central Damascus killed five people and injured 16 others. According to reports, an explosive device had been planted at the scene.

Marking 1,000 days since the war began, Defense Minister ישראל כ"ץ outlined Israel’s achievements across multiple fronts and said the IDF will remain in security zones while preparing for an independent strike on Iran if needed.

Israel’s activity in southern Syria is aimed at keeping hostile forces away from the Golan after Assad’s fall

A classified military cellphone slipped from a soldier’s pocket during operations in the security zone near Syria. A Syrian civilian later found the device and shared images of it on social media. The IDF said, "The matter is under investigation."

IDF forces reported gunfire directed at a post in Syria’s security zone and responded with strikes in the Tel Kudna area. Syrian reports said the Israeli military used mortars, artillery fire, and an attack helicopter.

President Donald Trump said, "I gave Israel a copy of the memorandum of understanding with Iran." At the same time, he continued criticizing Israel’s conduct in Lebanon: "You don’t have to take down a building every time there’s a Hezbollah operative inside."

President Donald Trump briefly addressed the memorandum of understanding with Iran, which is set to be formally signed in Switzerland on Friday. He stressed: "It’s a good deal. But if Iran develops nuclear weapons, all hell will come down on them."

Surveys find majorities in both countries view Hezbollah as harmful, while Trump says Israel should let Syria handle the terror group

A district court in Nazareth convicted Tahrir Safadi, a resident of Mas'ade, of espionage. Safadi was in contact with Hossam Zidan, a Syrian resident and reporter for the Iranian network "Al-Alam."