Israel’s defense leadership, including Defense Minister Israel Katz and IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, recently convened to evaluate the rapidly evolving conflict in Syria. Rebel forces, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), have swiftly captured key territories, including the central city of Hama, triggering concerns in Jerusalem over potential regional destabilization.
The swift advances have raised fears of a radical Islamist takeover or increased Iranian influence to support Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. A high-ranking Israeli official expressed that Israel prefers the two factions—radical jihadists and Iran-backed forces, including Hezbollah—to weaken each other through continued conflict.
As rebels push towards Homs, a critical junction linking Syria’s populated areas, Israel’s military reaffirmed its readiness to counter any threats near its border. Meanwhile, Hezbollah’s deputy leader, Naim Qassem, pledged unwavering support for the Assad regime, denouncing the rebel forces as tools of U.S. and Israeli interests.
The situation underscores the enduring complexity of Syria’s civil war, now reignited after years of relative dormancy, with implications for Israel’s security and broader Middle Eastern dynamics.