In recent developments, Israel has announced the elimination of a Hezbollah operative in Syria, who allegedly provided intelligence impeding Israeli operations in the Golan Heights. Simultaneously, Syrian state media reported that Israeli airstrikes were targeting various sites within Syria.
For years, Israel has conducted military actions in Syria, but the intensity of these strikes has noticeably escalated following the unprecedented Hamas assault on October 7, 2023. This brutal attack marked the commencement of Israel’s intense military campaign in Gaza.
In an assertive response to the Hamas strike, Israel has expanded its military operations into Lebanon and intensified airstrikes aimed at militant strongholds in Iran, Yemen, and Syria. This aggressive posture has sparked concerns about a potential broader conflict in the Middle East, which could entangle both Iran and the United States.
Amidst a backdrop of heightened tension, clashes erupted yesterday along the rugged border between Israel and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon. The entire region remains on edge as Israel prepares its counter-strategy following an Iranian missile strike that took place last week.
The situation prompted a teleconference between U.S. President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The White House disclosed that Biden advised Netanyahu to minimize civilian casualties in Lebanon during their half-hour conversation.
In light of Iran’s recent missile attack, which caused relatively minor damage, Israel made it clear that it would retaliate against Iran for its actions. Iran, in turn, has warned that any further aggression would trigger retaliatory measures resulting in significant destruction, igniting fears of an extensive regional confrontation.
Last week, Biden cautioned against Israeli strikes on Iranian oil facilities, reaffirming that he would oppose any assaults on Iranian nuclear installations.
Details of the Strikes
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated that they successfully targeted and killed a Hezbollah figure named Adham Jahout in the Quneitra region of Syria. According to the IDF, Jahout was pivotal in communicating intelligence from Syrian military sources to Hezbollah, as well as relaying crucial information that facilitated operational planning against Israeli positions in the Golan Heights.
The Golan Heights, which Israel seized during the Six-Day War in 1967 and subsequently annexed—a move that continues to be recognized by only a handful of countries—serves as a critical strategic area in the ongoing conflict.
In an official report, Syrian state television confirmed that Israeli aircraft had targeted an industrial facility in Homs and a military base near Hama, resulting in what was described as “some material damage.” The Homs strike specifically hit a car manufacturing plant, igniting a significant fire, as stated by Amer Khalil, the facility’s director.
Explosions were also recorded in the city of Daraa, with state news agencies currently investigating these incidents. Moreover, the Israeli military successfully intercepted a drone that approached Israeli airspace over the Red Sea, which did not breach territorial boundaries, shortly after the Iraqi Islamic Resistance claimed to have targeted Israel’s Eilat with drones.
Exchanges Between Leaders
Following the direct conversation, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre characterized the Biden-Netanyahu exchange as “very productive,” acknowledging, however, that the two leaders maintain differing viewpoints on various issues.
Israeli Ambassador to the United Nations, Danny Danon, echoed the sentiment, affirming a “positive call” and expressing gratitude for American support. Nonetheless, the relationship between Biden and Netanyahu has been strained, particularly regarding Netanyahu’s strategies in Gaza and Lebanon.
The U.S. has actively sought to contain escalating hostilities and unsuccessfully attempted to negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. Some political analysts suggest that in retaliation for Iran’s missile attack on October 1, Israel is likely to target Iranian military bases, particularly those responsible for the production of ballistic missiles.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated yesterday that Israel’s upcoming strikes would be “deadly, precise, and above all, surprising.” Despite the escalating conflict and violence, the proposition put forth last month by the U.S. and France for a 21-day truce between Israel and Hezbollah “remains on the table,” according to a senior UN official in Lebanon.
As a consequence of Israel’s military actions in Lebanon, the death toll has surpassed 2,100, with the government reporting that over 1.2 million individuals have been displaced from their homes. Israel argues that these actions are necessary to ensure that thousands of Israeli citizens can safely return to homes they abandoned under the threat of Hezbollah rocket attacks.
In the wake of the Hamas attack a year ago, which claimed around 1,200 lives and resulted in approximately 250 hostages, the retaliatory response from Israel has left nearly 42,000 Palestinians dead, according to the Gaza health ministry. The humanitarian situation is dire, with the majority of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents subjected to displacement and extensive destruction of their region.
Edited by: Ali Musa
Axadle international–Monitoring
