Report: Israel redraws influence map in Syria

According to a report published by the newspaper Israel Hayom, Israeli movements inside Syrian territory have gone beyond limited security operations and have become an active factor in shaping the features of the coming phase in Syria, in line with Tel Aviv’s long-term strategic interests.

The report states that immediately after the fall of the Assad regime, Israel rushed to develop a new approach toward southern Syria, based on early control of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights in preparation for managing the changes the region has witnessed in recent years.

The newspaper revealed that the Israeli army has deployed in around ten military points stretching from Mount Hermon to the slopes of the Yarmouk, as part of activity that has become closer to “routine work” during this year.

According to the newspaper, Israeli forces carried out a series of operations throughout the year, during which they thwarted the activities of cells linked to Hamas and ISIS, in addition to groups operating under Iranian influence. It considers these moves aimed not only at protecting the northern border, but also at shaping the direction of the Syrian conflict in its upcoming stages.

In a related context, the report discussed the recent clash that took place in Beit Jinn in rural Damascus, noting that the area is one of the most sensitive east of the Golan. The incident resulted in six Israeli soldiers being injured during an exchange of fire with local armed men. The newspaper described the town and its surroundings as a complex security environment due to the presence of thousands of residents and the region’s history of shifting political affiliations.

The report argues that Syria today is witnessing a phase of “uncontrolled flowing transformation” following the collapse of the state’s military structure and the spread of weapons across villages and towns, making the situation on the ground more fluid and more influential on the security of the Golan. The newspaper likened these developments to “flowing lava” that Israel is trying to prevent from reaching its borders while simultaneously attempting to influence emerging dynamics before they solidify in a way that could be difficult to change.

Israel Hayom also stated that Israel’s role in Syria goes beyond traditional counterterrorism, especially with the entry of regional and international players, particularly Turkey, into the competition for influence, pushing Tel Aviv to deepen its presence east of the Golan, including through providing humanitarian aid to local residents to strengthen opportunities for cooperation.

The report traces the roots of the military doctrine Israel is currently relying on to the tactics used by the “Special Night Squads” during the British Mandate in 1938, which were based on preemptive operations beyond the borders and the concept of “active defense.” The newspaper notes that this approach today forms the foundation guiding Israeli military policy inside Syria, with the aim of monitoring the northern front and reshaping the security and political landscape before it settles into a form that might conflict with Israeli interests.

A-H 

ANHA