Israel Using Developments in Sweida to Keep its New Occupation in Syria

Asharq Al-Awsat

4 days ago

The Israeli government is using the armed clashes in Sweida to establish a new form of control in southern Syria, political sources in Tel Aviv told the Israel Hayom newspaper.
'The government claims its presence in Sweida is vital for Israel's security and for the protection of the Druze and a source of stability in southern Syria,' the sources said.
According to the newspaper, which is aligned with the hardline government, the US administration is aware of Israel's role and is cooperating with the government in Tel Aviv to carry out a hostage deal between Druze and Bedouin groups in Syria.
'In recent days, an unnamed senior Israeli official has been involved in prisoner swap talks between Druze and Bedouin groups in Syria, aiming to free hundreds of captives from both sides,' the newspaper reported.
Israel is communicating with the Druze, while American mediators are talking to the Bedouins and the Syrian government, it revealed.
The recent violence in Sweida, where Druze were attacked, strengthens Israel's view that it needs to control a buffer zone in Syria, Israel Hayom wrote.
'This is to prevent Islamist groups from targeting Israeli communities, especially since Israel's intelligence didn't foresee the recent attacks.'
It said the need for buffer zones along all Israeli borders has become a key security concern since the October 7, 2023, attacks.
'Israel's main goal is to reduce tensions in Syria, though any calm is likely to be temporary,' high-ranking Israeli officials told the newspaper.
The officials also argue that the violence in Sweida highlights the need for Israel to maintain a military presence in the buffer zones, which Israeli forces controlled last December.
They noted that Israeli intelligence had no advance warning that hostile forces - first Syrian regime elements, then Bedouin fighters - were planning to attack the Druze.
Therefore, the sources said, it is still unconfirmed that Israel has information about 'Islamist' factions trying to reach an Israeli town.
'We will not risk waiting for things to happen, and we must always act proactively, so as not to fall victim again,' they said.
In recent days, several Israeli officials have been making threats against Syria.
During the rare 'multi-front situational assessment' at the Glilot intelligence base — the first of its kind in nearly two years — Israeli Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said the army 'is required to operate offensively on multiple fronts alongside vital defense in each sector and on the borders,' adding that the Israeli forces will 'continue to preserve air superiority and advance the intelligence effort.'
Meanwhile, the Syria TV channel said that 'an Israeli occupation patrol of three vehicles infiltrated on Wednesday morning into the Sayda Al-Hanout town in southern Quneitra countryside.'
Local sources said the Israeli forces advanced toward the village, set up a temporary checkpoint on the main road, and deployed around a former Syrian military site in the area.