Israel has confirmed targeted strikes in southern Syria amid escalating tensions with Damascus over control of strategic border regions. Defense Minister Israel Katz declared the military operation part of a new policy to "pacify" the area, vowing to prevent Syrian regime forces or allied groups from establishing footholds near Israeli territory.
"We will not allow southern Syria to become southern Lebanon,"Katz asserted during a November 10 ceremony, referencing Israel's ongoing security concerns about militant groups near its borders. The Israeli Air Force intensified operations following Syria's demand for an immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces from its territory.
Key developments driving the crisis:
- Israeli troops maintain control of the demilitarized buffer zone established after Bashar al-Assad's regime collapse in December 2024
- Prime Minister Netanyahu pledges to block Syrian military/rebel movements south of Damascus
- Syria condemns Israel's presence as "flagrant violation of sovereignty"
The disputed Golan Heights buffer zone remains central to regional security debates. Katz confirmed parallel troop deployments in southern Lebanon beyond Hezbollah ceasefire terms, emphasizing cross-border threat deterrence. Analysts warn the dual-front strategy risks inflaming Middle East tensions as Syria's new government consolidates power.
With over 18 airstrikes reported near Damascus this week, regional observers monitor whether Israel's "fire response" doctrine will trigger broader conflict. The military claims its actions strictly protect civilian safety, while Damascus accuses Jerusalem of exploiting Syria's political transition for territorial expansion.
