Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US president-elect Donald Trump about developments in Syria and a recent push to secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called his conversation with US President-elect Donald Trump ‘very warm and important’, focusing on Gaza hostage rescue efforts. He defended Israel’s temporary buffer zone control in Syria as necessary to counter terror threats despite regional criticism.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he had a “very warm” phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, during which they spoke about the need for Israel’s victory in its war on Hamas in Gaza.

It was a very friendly, very warm and very important conversation. We spoke about the need to complete Israel’s victory, and ... about the efforts we are making to free our hostages.”

Israel said it would expand settlements on the occupied Golan Heights, a move that was criticized by Qatar, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates.

By Maayan Lubell and Jeff Mason JERUSALEM/WEST PALM BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump about developments in Syria and a recent push to secure the release of Israeli and foreign hostages held by Hamas in Gaza,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that he had discussed the situation in Syria with US President-elect Donald Trump, reaffirming Israel's peaceful intentions in the region. "We have no interest in a conflict with Syria,

The outcome of the years-long Syrian civil war has added to the widening conflict in the Middle East. Amid the ever-changing developments in West Asia, the world has witnessed the fall of the 50-year-long al-Assad regime.