Israel Vows to Stay in Syria Buffer Zone as UN Slams Gaza Evacuation Threats

Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Israel will not leave the Syria buffer zone as long as 'jihadist threats' remain, and Syria condemned his visit to an IDF base on Mount Hermon. The UN and the Board of Peace criticized threats by Netanyahu and Katz to evacuate Gazans over 'children's kites,' and the Board of Peace demanded Israel comply with the Gaza ceasefire and end kite attacks. Washington called for restraint after Israel struck a Turkish base in Syria, while a report said Israel believes Turkey has abandoned, for now, a bid to establish a military presence at a base in northern Syria. The United States removed Syria from its terror sponsor list, complicating Israeli strategy.