Israel’s response to the collapse of al-Assad’s regime, has involved deployments in the Syria-controlled part of the Golan Heights and a bombing campaign against military infrastructure.
Israeli authorities justified the attacks on security grounds, saying they want to avoid weapons falling into the hands of “extremists”
In recent days, Israeli forces have moved deeper into Syrian territory, including the Syrian side of the strategic Mount Hermon that overlooks Damascus.
The push by Israeli forces into the demilitarised zone near the occupied Syrian Golan Heights rips up a 50-year ceasefire agreement with Syria, which established a buffer zone between both countries, according to United Nations peacekeepers.
Israeli authorities say the move is temporary but have failed to provide any timetable for their withdrawal, raising concerns that Israel would seek to occupy or annex the area permanently.
According to Stephen Zunes, a politics professor and Middle East expert at the University of San Francisco, the Israeli military’s push into Syrian territory was a clear case of “further expansionism” by an opportunistic Israel.
He noted that one can argue about whether Israel should bomb weapons facilities that could get into “‘the wrong hands’, as they say.”
He added, however, that the ground invasion has “no logic to it whatsoever, no strategic rationale.”
“This is clearly taking advantage of the fact that Syria is not in a position to defend itself anymore. With most of their navy and air force destroyed, with the leadership in flux and the government trying to desperately hold things together.
“This seemed to be the perfect opportunity for further expansionism.”
Stephen Zunes
United Nations Chief Antonio Guterres is deeply concerned over the hundreds of Israeli air strikes on Syria, saying there is an “urgent need to de-escalate violence on all fronts throughout the country”, his spokesman said.
However, United States National Security Adviser, Jake Sullivan defended Israel’s extensive attacks on Syria, saying Israeli forces are trying to “neutralise” potential threats.
Sullivan told a news conference without elaborating, “We are in deep consultation with the Israeli government about where this goes from here, what that will look like in the days and weeks ahead.”
He asserted that the efforts taken today really have been focused on the types of capabilities that could represent a genuine threat to the state of Israel.
Also, US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken expressed during a visit to Jordan that Israeli strikes on Syria are to make sure that the Syrian army’s military equipment does not fall into the “wrong hands.”
“The stated purpose of those actions by the Israelis is to try to make sure that the military equipment that’s been abandoned by the Syrian army doesn’t fall into the wrong hands – terrorists, extremists, etc.
“But we’ll be talking – we’re already talking – to Israel, we’re talking to others, about the way ahead.”
Antony Blinken
Analyst Calls For International Support To Stop Israel’s Bombing
Moreover, Middle East Expert, Stephen Zunes, asserted that Syria “desperately needs” support from the international community to make Israel stop its bombing campaign as the new administration in Damascus is not in a position to do so itself.
He noted that it’s very difficult because, right now, the new administration is just “trying to get the government ministries and basic services working again, trying to liberate the prisoners, dealing with an influx of the refugees and displaced persons.”
“They are totally distracted by the imperatives of trying to bring order and stability and meet the basic needs of their people. And with such damage done by the heavy bombing over the past several days, they really aren’t in a position.
“They desperately need the support of the international community to get Israel to stop.”
Stephen Zunes
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