Syrian authorities have detained two prominent figures from Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad, which participated in the October 2023 attacks on Israel. The detainees, Khaled Khaled, head of Islamic Jihad’s operations in Syria, and Yasser al-Zafari, leader of its organizational committee, were arrested five days ago, according to the group’s armed wing and a Syrian official.
The Al Quds Brigades issued a statement condemning the detentions, stating that the arrests were made “without any explanation” and in a manner “we would not have hoped to see from brothers.” The group has called for their immediate release.
A Syrian interior ministry official confirmed the arrests but did not provide further details or reasons for the detention. A Palestinian source in Damascus also verified the incident.
Islamic Jihad, which has long had a presence in Syria and Lebanon, is a key ally of Hamas and receives Iranian funding. However, the group has faced significant challenges in both countries, with Hezbollah in Lebanon suffering major setbacks following Israeli offensives, and Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad being ousted by a rebel offensive last year.
The new Islamist leadership in Damascus has distanced itself from Iran in an effort to secure international support for Syria’s reconstruction, hoping to lift sanctions and gain financial assistance. One of the conditions set by the U.S. for potential sanctions relief is Syria’s distance from Iran-backed Palestinian groups.
Israel has been targeting Islamic Jihad in Syria for years, with a recent strike last month on a building near Damascus, which Israel claimed was being used as a command center by the group. Islamic Jihad denied this accusation.