Israel is bracing for the possibility of the Syrian army’s collapse as rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), make significant territorial gains. The swift advances, including the capture of the strategic city of Hama, have raised concerns within Israel, prompting high-level security deliberations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz held emergency meetings to assess the situation. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) stated they are preparing for any scenario, emphasizing their commitment to thwart threats near the Syrian-Israeli border.
Reports suggest that Israel is alarmed by the Syrian army’s rapid disintegration and has warned Iran against supplying weapons to Syria that could reach Hezbollah in Lebanon. Concerns over the increasing influence of radical Islamist factions and Iran’s presence in Syria were also conveyed to the United States.
Rebels have vowed to advance further south to Homs, raising fears of increased instability along the Israeli border. The renewed violence highlights the unresolved nature of the Syrian conflict, reigniting tensions after years of relative dormancy.