The news outlet Israel Hayom reported that Defence Minister Israel Katz chaired a small ministerial meeting on Tuesday focused on Turkish involvement in Syria and concerns about the intentions of Syri’s de facto leader, Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) commander Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Jolani).

During the meeting, which was held before an upcoming discussion with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the ministers also reportedly discussed an Israeli plan first revealed by Middle East Eye in December.

Under this plan, Syria would be divided into provincial regions, or cantons, which Israel Hayom described as a way to “safeguard the security and rights of all Syrian ethnic groups”, including the Druze and Kurdish populations.

The plan to divide Syria highlights the concern among Israel’s establishment about Turkish influence in the country. On Monday, an Israeli government commission said that Turkey could pose a greater threat to Israel than Iran in Syria if it supports a hostile “Sunni Islamist” force in Damascus.