‘The problem is with Israel, not us’: Syrian leader says Oct. 7 shouldn’t dictate Israeli policy

Syrian President Bashar Assad has stated that the October 7 Hamas-led attacks on Israel should not dictate Israeli policy, asserting that the underlying conflict stems from Israel's actions rather than external actors. Assad’s comments suggest a rejection of the premise that the regional security landscape should be defined by the events of that date.

In related diplomatic developments, a French official clarified recent remarks by President Emmanuel Macron regarding the West Bank, explaining that the French leader intended to convey that Hamas does not govern the territory. Meanwhile, UK politician Andy Burnham has argued that the British government must impose sanctions on Israeli settlements to prevent a further decline in public trust regarding political institutions.