They claim that Israel has stepped up these operations, conducting more than 20 airstrikes in Syria just this week, as part of a larger offensive strategy. We’re seeing a new wave of attacks ramping up with the ongoing situation in Gaza. Over just the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have been reported to have killed 40 civilians. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are clearly stretched thin after 18 months of war. These forces suffer a combat soldier shortfall of over 7,000 personnel, a challenge that is adding considerable stress to Israel’s military posture.
The renewed bombing campaign in Gaza, which resumed on March 18, has coincided with repeated airstrikes on Syria that have occurred since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.… Israel has already begun actions to destabilize the newly independent Syrian government. Simultaneously, they are fighting to protect the Druze community—especially against dangers that possibly await at the hands of Islamist tyrants who would rule over their area as well.
Israel’s military has repeatedly struck near hospitals and schools. One of these attacks struck an area near the presidential palace in Damascus. This has prompted warnings from Israel’s defense minister, Israel Katz, who stated that Israel would respond forcefully if Syria’s new government fails to safeguard the Druze minority group. The IDF has struck back against these threats. They have gone on record to say that their forces in southern Syria are positioned to defend the Druze community.
Late last night, Israel evacuated five Syrian Druze citizens to Israel for emergency medical treatment. This move signals Israel’s commitment to the protection of this minority community during increased unrest in the area. The IDF spokesperson emphasized that Israel “takes feasible precautions to mitigate civilian harm,” amidst accusations from Israel that Hamas has been using civilians as human shields during the ongoing conflict.
While this tragedy is unfolding, Israel’s government is allegedly already making preparations for significantly escalating its military offensive in Gaza even more. A senior humanitarian official expressed concerns regarding the humanitarian implications of this escalation, stating, “The current scheme just won’t work unless there are a lot more distribution hubs and even then we cannot be a party to something that may drive massive and possibly permanent displacement within Gaza.”
The intricacies surrounding our current military involvements indicate the multifaceted nature of present security threat perceptions, as well as of future geopolitical projections. As we’ve written before, Israel is doubling down to ensure it retains its regional influence and counter its domestic military challenge. These campaigns will make an indelible mark on Syrian and Palestinian lands.