Part 5/7:
Ralph Sanchez, an international correspondent contributing insights from Tel Aviv, sheds light on the complex attitudes prevailing among Syrian rebel factions toward Israel. The most significant rebel group currently is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist outfit with roots in al-Qaeda. The ideological stance of HTS is traditionally antagonistic toward Israel, especially since its leader, identified by the nom de guerre al-Jolani, carries personal animosity stemming from his family’s displacement by Israeli forces in 1967.
While the leadership of HTS has shown a willingness to moderate its tone, indicating a shift in focus towards domestic governance rather than international jihad, underlying sentiments continue to foster tension between the group and Israel.