According to the Saudi newspaper Elaph, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has asked Israel for assistance in repelling Sunni rebels who have recently taken control of large parts of northwestern Syria. Israel reportedly did not immediately reject the request but set certain conditions. Official sources have yet to confirm this report. The Orthodox news portal Kikar HaShabbat views this as a sign of messianic times. “The Syrian head of state asking Israel for help? That is something extraordinary in the regional politics we live in,” they wrote. The entire region appears to be entering a new phase, one that could either explode or open up new opportunities. We are living in an unusual time, full of surprises.

Elaph revealed yesterday that President Assad, through one of his advisors in Europe, sent a message to an Israeli security agency requesting military assistance to support his regime in Damascus against Sunni rebels. According to the Saudi newspaper, Israel responded that the developments in Syria did not pose an immediate threat to Israel. However, it did not categorically...

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