Formation of a Regional Military Commission Between Israel and Russia

The Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the governments of Israel and Russia have decided to establish a regional military coordination commission in recent days. According to this report, the decision was made shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to Moscow and his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Haaretz wrote in its Tuesday, September 31 issue, that General Gadi Eisenkot, Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, reached an agreement with his Russian counterpart, Valery Gerasimov, that this joint military committee would 'use electronic equipment to monitor maritime and aerial movements in the region.' Haaretz added that one of the main objectives of this commission is to 'examine the effects of military electromagnetic fields' on the actions of the opposing side. Haaretz also quoted an unnamed 'senior Israeli officer' stating that 'Israeli military actions on the northern border could affect some Russian movements in Syrian territory.' According to the report, the deputies of the General Staffs of the Israeli and Russian armies will lead this commission. Haaretz noted that the first meeting of the heads of the mentioned commission will take place in two weeks, although the location has not yet been determined. The 'senior Israeli officer' told Haaretz that he 'cannot confirm whether Israel and Russia will inform the U.S. about the details of these collaborations.' Recently, Russia confirmed an increase in its military cooperation in Syria, describing it as part of previous agreements between Moscow and Damascus. Following his meeting with the Russian president on Monday, September 30, Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he reached an agreement with Mr. Putin to 'prevent' potential confrontations between the Israeli army and Russian forces in Syria. However, on the same day, General Moshe Ya'alon, Israel's Defense Minister, said that despite the agreements reached during Netanyahu's talks with Putin, 'Israel will not deviate from its right to operate freely in Syria.' The announcement of the formation of the Israeli-Russian regional joint military commission comes as reports of intensified cooperation between Russia and Iran in Syria, aimed at supporting the survival of Bashar al-Assad's regime, have also emerged. Israel asserts its right to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hezbollah through Syrian territory. In recent years, Israel has accused Iran of sending weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon through Syrian territory. Global media have attributed several airstrikes against warehouses in Syria or convoys carrying weapons to Israel. Netanyahu also told the Russian president during his visit to Moscow that Iran is seeking to create 'a new front against Israel' in Syrian territory.