THE collapse of the Assad regime in Syria has sparked a fierce military response from Israel, which has launched airstrikes on strategic military targets across Syria and deployed ground troops into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first time in 50 years.
The Israeli military reported carrying out about 480 strikes over the past two days, targeting key Syrian weapon stockpiles. Defense Minister Israel Katz also claimed that the Israeli navy destroyed the Syrian fleet overnight, calling the operation a “great success.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime as “a new and dramatic chapter,” attributing it to Israel’s strikes against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran.
He emphasized that while the threat from these groups persists, Israel is determined to reshape the Middle East.
The collapse of Assad’s regime, a long-time ally of Iran, has prompted mixed reactions in Israel. While officials celebrate the downfall of a leader who allowed Hezbollah to operate in Syria, they express concern about the potential rise of radical Islamist factions in Syria, particularly given its proximity to Israel’s Golan Heights.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that Israel’s airstrikes are aimed at preventing chemical weapons and long-range missiles from falling into the hands of extremists.
The Israeli Air Force’s strikes, which primarily targeted airfields, missile sites, and weapon production facilities, included significant bombardments in Damascus, Homs, Tartus, Latakia, and Palmyra.
In addition, Israeli naval forces destroyed Syrian naval vessels at two facilities in Latakia, where 15 ships were docked.
The violence has drawn criticism from Arab states, with the Arab League accusing Israel of exploiting Syria’s internal instability for territorial gain.
Egypt also condemned Israel’s actions, calling them an opportunistic occupation of Syrian territory.