Israel is taking advantage of Syria’s political collapse to unleash what many are calling acts of state terrorism, targeting strategic military assets and violating international agreements. Over the past 72 hours, Israeli forces have launched more than 350 airstrikes, dismantling Syria’s military infrastructure while occupying key positions, including Mt Hermon, a critical vantage point overlooking Damascus.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claim their strikes have destroyed up to 80% of Syria’s strategic military assets, including fighter jets, naval ships, radar installations, and weapons stockpiles. Defence Minister Israel Katz boasted about the strikes, saying, “The navy operated last night to destroy the Syrian fleet with great success.”
However, global leaders and human rights organizations are condemning Israel’s actions as clear violations of international law and global peace. Critics argue Israel is exploiting Syria’s chaos for territorial and military gain under the guise of national security. Ground forces have moved beyond the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights into the demilitarized buffer zone, established under the 1973 ceasefire agreement. UN peacekeepers have condemned the violation, stating they are now unable to operate freely.
“These attacks amount to acts of aggression and are blatant violations of global peace,” said UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric, calling Israel’s actions a dangerous escalation. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and the Arab League have also decried the incursion as a “land grab” and state-sponsored terrorism.
France and Germany joined the chorus of condemnation, with Germany’s Foreign Minister warning Israel not to jeopardize Syria’s fragile post-Assad transition. The United States, while more measured, urged Israel to limit its actions and ensure its incursion remains “temporary”.
Despite global outrage, Israeli officials maintain their actions are essential to prevent extremist factions like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) or Hezbollah from obtaining Syrian weapons. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the operation, stating, “We will not allow an extreme Islamic terrorist entity to act against Israel beyond its border.”
The speed and intensity of Israel’s strikes have raised alarms that Syria’s destruction may be irreversible. Analysts argue Israel’s goal goes beyond national security and amounts to calculated aggression aimed at consolidating regional dominance while Syria is unable to respond.
Israel’s broad public support for the operation contrasts sharply with the international backlash. Media commentators have lauded the strikes as a preemptive necessity, citing lessons from the deadly October 7 Hamas attack. Yet for Syria, the Israeli assault represents terrorist attacks carried out with impunity, as the nation’s sovereignty erodes under the weight of external forces.
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