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Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'arÌýhas criticised the new Syrian government, accusing the interim administration of "undemocratic practices" and raising concerns over minorities.

The comments came after Ahmed al-Sharaa, who leads theÌýHayat Tahrir al-Sham group that ousted AssadÌýon 8 December, announced that holding elections inÌý³§²â°ù¾±²¹Ìýcould take up to four years.

During a meeting with his Greek counterpart Giorgos Gerapetritis, Sa'ar slammed the move to delay the vote, calling the plan "undemocratic" and "deeply troubling".

"The new government in Damascus was not democratically elected. But even more troubling: they are now proclaiming that elections will take place only after four years,"Ìýhe wrote on X.

Talking to broadcasters on Sunday, Al-Sharaa also said that drafting a new constitution could take up to three years and a year for Syrians to see drastic changes.

Following the end of a 13-year civil war, the HTS leader and his government have sought to distance themselves from their militant roots, emphasising a commitment to inclusivity and minority rights to reassure Syria's diverse population and its regional neighbours. Ìý

While the new administration's promises of inclusivity have been welcomed by some, others remain sceptical about its ability to unify a fractured, multi-ethnic nation without resorting to authoritarian tactics. Ìý

Sa'ar voiced his apprehensions, adding: "I underscored the need to urgently safeguard Syria's minorities, including the Kurds, Alawites, and Christians."

However, Damascus has consistently rejected such criticisms, emphasising its commitment to protecting minorities. Al-Sharaa has repeatedly asserted that minority groups are an integral part of the Syrian nation, seeking to foster unity as Syria rebuilds. Ìý

Israel's comments come as its forces continue to launch military attacks on Syria. Following Assad's ousting, Israel has intensified its operations in the territory, particularly near Damascus.

On Sunday, an Israeli strike targeted a weapons depot that reportedly belonged to the Assad regime near the industrial town of Adra. According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the attack killed at least 11 people, most of them civilians.

Israel has also occupied parts of the Syrian Golan Heights buffer zone, a contentious region partially and illegally annexed by Israel in 1967.

Israel's heightened focus on Syria's internal affairs, particularly its emphasis on minority rights, has gathered criticism as it sharply contrasts with its policies toward Palestinians in the occupied territories.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former defence minister Yoav Gallant currently face charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Israel has also been accused of genocide and ethnic cleansing as it wages its war on Gaza.

In a statement on Friday, Sa'ar dismissed the new Syrian administration as "a terrorist gang that was in Idlib and took control of the capital, Damascus".

His remarks appear aimed at delegitimising a government that has not yet been formally recognised by much of the international community, as they continue to designate HTS as a terrorist group.

Western governments are beginning to re-establish diplomatic relationships with Syria, with several European countries dispatching delegations to Damascus to hold talks with representatives of the new governing authorities.