Israel’s Opportunistic Expansion in Post-Assad Syria

Israel has intensified its territorial expansion in Syria following the Assad government’s fall, violating international agreements and leveraging instability. With U.S. support, Israel feels empowered to pursue further military aggression, while Arab states, despite calls for action, remain largely ineffective against such incursions. This situation presents Israel with opportunities to assert control over more Syrian regions, particularly the Golan Heights and the West Bank.

Following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government in December, Israel escalated its incursion into the Syrian Golan Heights by taking control of the demilitarized buffer zone, thus contravening the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria. Concurrently, Israel heightened its airstrikes against Syrian military targets nationwide, taking advantage of the ongoing instability in Syria post-Assad’s regime.

Amidst Syria’s struggles, the Israeli government perceives an opportunity to extend its territorial claims and impose further restrictions on Syrian citizens, particularly in southern regions, under the guise of establishing buffer zones. Israeli military forces have advanced to within 20 kilometers of Damascus, the Syrian capital.

The destruction of the Gaza Strip, executed with American-supplied weaponry, appears to have fortified Israel’s resolve to pursue its territorial ambitions. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a Knesset address on December 23, 2024, indicated that Israel’s operations in Gaza could lead to new peace agreements with Arab nations, ultimately transforming the Middle East backdrop.

In stark contrast, while Israel proceeds with its undermining of Syrian sovereignty, the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jasem Albudaiwi, is calling for immediate international intervention to halt Israel’s blatant violations in Syria. It raises questions about who the GCC is appealing to when the Arab states have largely remained passive against such aggression.

It is somewhat ironic for the Arab nations, particularly the GCC, to demand action from the ineffectual international community, as they have failed to advocate effectively for the cessation of arms supplies to Israel amidst its ongoing military operations in Gaza. Albudaiwi seems aware that the international community’s responses are often limited to condemnation or ineffective resolutions at the UN.

The Arab bloc, encompassing 22 countries, has considerable leverage to influence Israel’s conduct. The GCC could leverage its oil resources or encourage a boycott of Western goods to compel the West to exert pressure on Israel to cease its expansionist strategies in Syria. However, the inaction of Arab nations emboldens Israel, which appears to have tacit approval from the United States.

As a part of its broader goals, Israel is reportedly working to displace the native Palestinian population in the occupied West Bank. Legislative efforts are underway in the U.S. Congress to alter the nomenclature of the West Bank to its historical Hebrew name, Judea and Samaria, aligning with Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s vision of an expanded Jewish state.

Turkish condemnation of Israel’s actions in Syria highlights a regional response, yet Turkey itself has been linked to oil trades with Israel, even during the latter’s military campaigns. With the current Syrian government’s weakened status and the passive stance of other Arab nations and Turkey, Israel is evidently seeing Syria as viable prey for further territorial claims.

Netanyahu’s ambitions are underpinned by significant U.S. support, particularly from the Trump administration, which controversially recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights in March 2019, infringing upon international law. This backing is likely to encourage continued Israeli expansionism into Syria.

In summary, Israel’s recent actions in Syria reflect a calculated strategy of territorial expansion amidst the turmoil following the fall of the Assad regime. With perceived support from the international community, particularly from the U.S., Israel feels emboldened to exploit Syria’s vulnerabilities. The appeal from Arab states for intervention seems ineffective, emphasizing the need for cohesive action against such aggressions. The landscape indicates that Israel is poised to continue its aggressive policies, further complicating the Middle East dynamic.

Original Source: www.tehrantimes.com