Syria, Dec 15, (V7N) - Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria, Israel has launched over 500 attacks on the neighboring country. Tel Aviv asserts that these operations are necessary for national security. These attacks are not a new development, as Israel has been conducting airstrikes in Syria since January 2013. A recent bombing campaign targeting military facilities resulted in the deaths of two individuals.

Since the 2013 airstrikes, Israel has regularly carried out operations in Syria, justifying them by claiming to target Iranian forces and Hezbollah, both of which have a significant presence in Syria. Analysts suggest that Israel has been framing these attacks as part of a broader strategy to normalize its military actions in the region. Following Assad’s downfall, Israel has executed nearly 500 airstrikes in Syria, while also taking control of the Golan Heights buffer zone along the Syria-Israel border. According to Israel, the 1974 agreement that established this buffer zone has "failed," and the country now aims to establish a "secure defense zone" there.

On Monday, Israel destroyed 15 ships anchored at the Mediterranean ports of Bayda and Latakia, located 600 kilometers (373 miles) north of the Golan Heights. The operation, which involved the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) leading the campaign to topple Assad’s regime, was completed in just 12 days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has taken credit for the rapid downfall of Assad, claiming that Israel’s actions weakened Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, directly impacting Assad's regime.

Israel's strategy in Syria is seen as opportunistic and strategic, according to Mai Rakh Jonesjen, a senior analyst at the Crisis Group. She believes that Israel identifies threats or opportunities and then acts by deploying forces to either eliminate the threat or capitalize on the opportunity. However, Israeli political scientist Ori Goldberg offers a different perspective. He argues that Israel’s actions are in line with the country’s new security policy, driven by the ongoing instability in Syria. He believes the notion of Israel seeking a "Greater Israel" through these attacks is unfounded.

Israel’s Actions Amid Global Condemnation

In the wake of Hamas's attacks, Israel has killed at least 48,833 people over the past 14 months. It has also launched strikes on Iran, targeted Hezbollah in Lebanon, and is now causing widespread destruction in Syria. Simultaneously, Israel’s aggression in the Gaza Strip has led to accusations of genocide from various nations and international organizations.

Despite the high death toll, Prime Minister Netanyahu has shown no remorse. He has even expressed the ambition to "reshape the Middle East," a sentiment widely echoed by Israeli media. The Jerusalem Post recently praised Israel for bringing stability to the Middle East, something that international organizations and Western diplomats had failed to achieve for decades. Following the fall of Assad, Israel’s continued attacks in Syria have been condemned by countries including Egypt, France, Iran, Iraq, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and others. The Arab League, a 22-member organization, also issued a statement condemning Israel’s actions, accusing it of exploiting Syria's internal challenges.

The United Nations is responsible for overseeing the Golan Heights buffer zone, but Israel's occupation of this area has been deemed a violation of international law. Goldberg dismisses the UN’s protests, asserting that Israel will do as it pleases without regard for international courts.

In a column for The Times of Israel, Jeffrey Levin argued that Israel has made significant progress toward establishing a "new Middle East of peace and prosperity" in the last 13 months. Based on the changes Israel has brought about, Levin predicts that Syria will break free from the Assad family’s geopolitical influence, Iran will lose its theocratic governance, and the Kurds will achieve independence. He also foresees Palestinians establishing a new state in Jordan.

However, Israeli political analyst Nimrod Flashenberg offers a different outlook, noting that despite these developments, Israel’s popularity in the region will likely remain low. He remains hopeful, though, for a Middle East where fewer countries view Israel as an adversary.

Syria's Struggle Under Assad's Rule

The ongoing conflict in Syria, compounded by Israel's military operations, has left the country in a state of devastation. The Assad regime has been accused of numerous atrocities, with widespread reports of human rights violations and the use of chemical weapons against civilians. The broader Middle East continues to grapple with instability, with Israel playing a central, often controversial, role in shaping the region's future.

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