In a significant escalation, the Israeli military executed multiple airstrikes on Tuesday, targeting government forces in Syria and the Iran-aligned militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon. This operation marks a rare engagement with Syria's newly established government, which emerged after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad by Islamist former rebels last December. The strikes come as a reaction to intense sectarian violence in Sweida, a predominantly Druse area, triggered by conflicts between Bedouin tribal groups and local Druse militias, resulting in numerous casualties.
New Syrian government forces were deployed to restore order in Sweida but soon became embroiled in the ongoing clashes, which have already seen dozens meet a violent end. Israel maintains close relations with its Druse minority, expressing a commitment to protect Druse individuals across the Syrian border amidst the unrest.
Recent diplomatic engagements between Israel and the new Syrian leadership have aimed at reducing tensions, facilitated by U.S. mediation. Concurrently, Israeli strikes targeted the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon, which is a noted stronghold for Hezbollah. These assaults are part of a broader strategy to compel the militant group to disarm, a demand echoed in the ongoing pressures from both the U.S. and Israeli governments.
Israel's Defense Minister, Israel Katz, reiterated the resolve of the Israeli state in a public statement, describing the airstrikes as a "clear message" to Hezbollah and the Lebanese government that any actions to rebuild military strength would be met with "maximum force." This ongoing situation underscores the fragility of peace and security across both Syria and Lebanon, particularly following a ceasefire agreement reached in November after a prolonged conflict in Lebanon.
