The border between Israel and Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights saw unprecedented moves on Tuesday.
Syrian regime forces have withdrawn their heavy machinery and a section of their troops eastward, avoiding a clash with Israel in the Quneitra area.
Meanwhile, scores of displaced Syrians, some waving white flags, briefly approached within 200 meters of the frontier fence along Golan Heights before Israeli soldiers ordered them to go back.
The Israelis considered the move to be in line with the understandings reached by Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump at the Helsinki summit on Israel's support and the commitment of the Syrian regime to the terms of the agreements signed with it in 1974.
Trump’s meeting with Putin resulted in a “really good” outcome for Israel, the president told Fox News of the Helsinki Summit.
“We came to a lot of good conclusions. A really good conclusion for Israel. Something very strong,” Trump said of the summit.
Trump also said that the Russian President was “a believer in Israel” and a strong supporter of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
“He’s a fan of Bibi,” he said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “Really helping him a lot and will help him a lot, which is good for all of us.”
He made no reference to the future status of Iranian-backed troops inside Syria, but Trump said the “United States will not allow Iran to benefit from our successful campaign against ISIS”.
Trump in his remarks said Israel’s security was preeminent both in American and Russian considerations of Syria.
“We’ve worked with Israel long and hard for many years, many decades. I think we’ve never — never has anyone, any country been closer than we are,” Trump stressed.
Putin, for his part, said that the south of Syria “should be brought to the full compliance with the treaty of 1974 about the separation of forces — about separation of forces of Israel and Syria.”
“This will bring peace to Golan Heights and bring a more peaceful relationship between Syria and Israel, and it will also provide security to the State of Israel.”
