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Israeli Forces Expand Operations in Syria

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Regional powers have accused Israel of exploiting Syria’s political instability for its own gain.

An illustration of Alexandra Sharp, World Brief newsletter writer

Alexandra Sharp

By Alexandra Sharp, the World Brief writer at Foreign Policy.

Israeli military vehicles cross the fence as they return from the buffer zone with Syria.

Israeli military vehicles cross the fence as they return from the buffer zone with Syria in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Dec. 10. Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images

December 10, 2024, 7:00 PM View Comments ()

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at Israeli military operations in Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testifying over corruption allegations, and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva recovering from emergency surgery.

Israel’s Intentions in Syria

Israel has launched hundreds of airstrikes in Syria this week, sparking foreign condemnation at a time of political instability for the country. Among the attacks, Israeli forces reportedly hit a Syrian naval ship in the port city of Latakia, which was once a major stronghold for recently ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Israel “destroyed Syria’s navy overnight and with great success,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday, in an apparent reference to the Latakia attack.

Israel’s Intentions in Syria

According to the Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Israeli warplanes have conducted more than 300 strikes in Syria since rebel forces forced Assad out of Damascus on Sunday. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they have targeted suspected chemical weapons stockpiles and long-range missiles in Syria to prevent them from falling “into the hands of extremists.” Locals have reported explosions around the country, including near Qamishli International Airport in northeastern Syria on Monday.

The IDF “has been operating in Syria in recent days to hit and destroy strategic capabilities that pose a threat to Israel,” Katz said. “I warn the rebel leaders in Syria: Those who follow Assad’s path will end like Assad.” Iran has used Syria to help supply and arm anti-Israel proxy groups, such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

Alongside airstrikes, Israeli ground forces over the weekend advanced into a United Nations-controlled demilitarized zone inside Syria that sits along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. This was the first time that Israeli troops have overtly entered Syrian territory in 50 years. IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani denied reports on Tuesday that Israel was pushing toward Damascus, saying its forces were only in the buffer zone “to protect the State of Israel.” Israel seized the Golan Heights from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War; its annexation is only recognized by the United States.

Katz also said Israeli forces have been ordered to create a “sterile defensive zone” in southern Syria to prevent terrorist threats. Israel will reportedly not have a permanent presence there.

Israel is “displaying a mentality of an occupier” at a time when peace and stability could emerge in Syria, the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Tuesday. Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have also condemned Israel’s incursion as a violation of international law and as an exploitation of the country’s political turmoil. Israel’s recent actions in Syria are “very troubling” for the region, said Geir Pedersen, the U.N. special envoy for Syria. He urged Israel to immediately halt its movements and bombardments, arguing that de-escalation is needed to avoid igniting a new conflict as Syria creates an interim government.

The rebel alliance confirmed the appointment of Mohammed al-Bashir as caretaker prime minister on Tuesday. The rebel-backed official, little known outside Idlib province, will run a transitional government until March 1.

Today’s Most Read

Assad Has Fallen. What’s Next for Syria and the Middle East?by Amy Mackinnon and John Haltiwanger

How the World Got Syria Wrongby Charles Lister

Assad’s Fall Is the Middle East’s 1989by Lina Khatib

What We’re Following

Court proceedings. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu testified on Tuesday about allegations of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust in a long-running corruption case. Netanyahu is the first sitting Israeli prime minister to be charged with a crime. “I have waited eight years for this moment—to tell the truth, the truth as I remember it,” Netanyahu said.

The charges center on three separate claims that Netanyahu gave favors and diplomatic support to businessmen in exchange for luxury gifts and sympathetic media coverage. He has pleaded not guilty, saying the charges are an “ocean of absurdity.” Arguments over whether Netanyahu should be allowed to remain in office during the proceedings have sparked political paralysis, which in turn led to five elections in less than four years.

Netanyahu’s testimony comes as he oversees Israel’s multifront war, which has soured his domestic approval rates and led to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant against him for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Last week, Israeli judges ruled that Netanyahu must testify three times a week, which experts expect will eat up much of the prime minister’s time as he advances Israeli military operations into Syria. The next testimony session will resume on Wednesday and could continue for several months.

Emergency surgery. Medical workers rushed Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to a hospital in São Paulo overnight on Tuesday for emergency surgery to repair a brain bleed. Doctors believe that the incident is related to a fall that Lula sustained while at home in October. Lula is reportedly in stable condition and will remain in an intensive care unit for the next 48 hours.

The surgery did not impact Lula’s brain functioning and left “no side effects, no change in movement, absolutely nothing,” Roberto Kalil, one of the doctors who treated Lula, said on Tuesday. The president is expected to resume all official duties once he recovers. Following his fall in October, Lula canceled his trips to Russia and Azerbaijan but still hosted the G-20 summit in Rio de Janeiro last month.

New allegations. A South Korean army commander accused President Yoon Suk-yeol on Tuesday of ordering security forces to “drag out” lawmakers from the National Assembly after he declared martial law last week. During the six-hour order, key legislators, including opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, had to climb a fence to enter the Assembly Hall. The deputy director of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service has also accused Yoon of demanding the arrests of Lee, People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, and several other lawmakers.

The allegations come as prosecutors weigh insurrection charges against Yoon and as parliamentarians—including in Yoon’s own party—have called for the suspension of his executive powers. On Wednesday local time, authorities formally arrested former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on charges of rebellion and abuse of power for his role in the martial law order. Kim resigned shortly after martial law was lifted.

Odds and Ends

Travelers hoping to see a panda while visiting Hong Kong may not have to wait for a trip to the zoo. That is, if they’re satisfied with artistic renderings. On Monday, the city formally launched its largest panda-themed exhibition, which displays 2,500 giant panda sculptures around the city. The statues, made of recycled materials, can be seen along the Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui, a popular shopping district, as well as other locations.

Alexandra Sharp is the World Brief writer at Foreign Policy. X: @AlexandraSSharp

Read More On Missile Defense |Syria |Syria Conflict |War

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