Israeli Airstrikes, Ground Advances Cause Concern for Arab Leaders

What Happened?

There are growing concerns in Syria after the rebel group Hayat Tahir al-Sham (HTS) deposed the al-Assad family regime.

While many have celebrated the dethroned former dictatorship under President Bashar al-Assad, Israel has made its stance on the situation very clear.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning Tuesday to rebel militant groups after establishing a 'sterile defense zone' in southern Syria.

The U.N.-patrolled and demilitarized buffer zone, now reportedly seized by Israeli forces, was established under a ceasefire agreement in 1974.

Katz says that any entity that poses a threat to Israel will be targeted relentlessly, the Times of Israel reported.

As Israeli Defense Minister Katz said, ‘...Whoever follows al-Assad’s footsteps will end up like Assad did. We won’t allow an extremist Islamic terror entity to act against Israel from beyond its borders… we will do anything to remove the threat.’

This comes as Israel reportedly carried out a wave of recent airstrikes across Syria, destroying its navy unit following the takeover.

Katz claimed the airstrikes and on-ground actions were aimed at preventing Assad's arsenal of weaponry from falling into the hands of extremists and potentially threatening Israel's borders and its people.

Why it Matters

The sudden advances by Israel have raised alarm among some of those closely monitoring the situation.

The Associated Press reports that the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights has tracked Israel carrying out more than 300 airstrikes across the country since the rebel takeover.

Arab powers, including the leadership of Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, have all reportedly condemned the Israeli attacks. They have accused Israel of exploiting the Syria chaos and violating international law.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric spoke out Monday, accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire agreement between them and Syria.

However, residents in Syria have also reportedly spoken about the country slowly returning to normalcy as private banks and shops in the city’s ancient Hamidiyeh market have reopened.

The choice faced by Israeli policymakers stands clear, according to The Middle East Forum Observer, which suggests that comprehensive security frameworks are necessary to protect shared interests.

A report from the Forum states, ‘Each day allows hostile forces to entrench positions while expanding capabilities to threaten Western interests. History judges hesitation harshly when vital security interests demand decisive action.’

Some view Israel's position as an effort to ensure rebel forces don’t threaten regional stability, by making sure the new regime doesn’t create hostile staging grounds.

How it Affects You

As Syrian communities weigh the future as the country transitions away from its former dictator's family leadership of over 50 years, Israel's growing involvement could add more fuel to this growing fire.

Many look ahead to see how the incoming U.S. presidential administration under the leadership of President-elect Donald Trump will act amid these global affairs.

Trump has already stated that Israel has the right to protect itself from enemy threats. Right now, Israel appears to be doing just that.