Trump issues warning to Netanyahu about destabilizing Syria

President Donald Trump warned Israel on Monday to avoid destabilizing Syria and its new leadership, days after Israeli troops killed 13 people.

Trump spoke to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and invited him for another White House visit, Netanyahu's office said shortly after Trump issued the warning.

"It is very important that Israel maintain a strong and true dialogue with Syria, and that nothing takes place that will interfere with Syria's evolution into a prosperous state," Trump said on his Truth Social platform.

The US leader has been pushing for a security pact between Israel and Syria since President Ahmed al-Sharaa's coalition overthrew longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad a year ago.

But tensions have risen over hundreds of strikes by Israel on Syria, and fter Israeli troops killed 13 people on Friday in an operation in the southern village of Beit Jin.

Syria called the Israeli operation a "war crime."

Israel said it targeted an Islamist group.