Golan: A Potential New Front in Israel's Confrontation with Hezbollah

Golan: A Potential New Front in Israel's Confrontation with Hezbollah
Israel appears to be seeking to establish a new security zone in the Golan, which could lead to a shift in the regional balance of power and increase the likelihood of military escalation
October 15, 2024, 9:29 pm

جنود إسرائيليون يتخذون مواقع في هضبة الجولان / صور VCG‍

Intelligence and military sources revealed to Reuters that Israeli forces have intensified their activity in the Golan recently. These activities include accelerating the pace of landmine removal and erecting new barriers on the border with the demilitarized zone adjacent to Syria.

The sources explained that these movements may indicate Israel's intention to expand the scope of its ground operations against Hezbollah, while simultaneously strengthening its defenses. It is expected that Israel will seek to target Hezbollah positions from farther east on the Lebanese border, while establishing a safe zone that allows it freedom of movement in monitoring the armed group's movements and preventing infiltration operations.

Any military action - including launching raids from the Golan and possibly from the demilitarized zone separating it from Syrian territory - could widen the circle of conflict between Israel and Hezbollah and its ally Hamas. This conflict has already drawn in Iran, with the possibility of also drawing in the United States.

Nawar Shaaban, a researcher at the Istanbul-based Harmoon Center, stated: "The operations in the Golan seem like an attempt to prepare for a wider attack in Lebanon." He added: "Everything happening in Syria aims to serve Israel's strategy in Lebanon - striking supply lines, warehouses, and individuals associated with Hezbollah's supply networks."

An intelligence officer affiliated with the Syrian regime, a regime soldier stationed in southern Syria, and three high-level Lebanese security sources reported that demining operations and other engineering works carried out by Israel have accelerated over the past weeks.

The sources mentioned that the pace of demining increased as Israel began its ground incursion on October 1, 2024, to fight Hezbollah along the mountainous area separating northern Israel and southern Lebanon, about 20 kilometers to the west.

The two Syrian sources and one of the Lebanese sources indicated that during the same period, Israel intensified its strikes on Syria, including the capital and border areas with Lebanon. Russian military units stationed in southern Syria to support Syrian forces there also withdrew from at least one observation post overlooking the demilitarized zone.

The soldier stationed in the south explained that Israel is moving the fence separating the Golan from the demilitarized zone further towards Syria and is establishing fortifications nearby "to prevent any infiltration in case this front ignites."

When asked about the demining operations, the Israeli army responded that it "does not comment on operational plans" and that it is "currently fighting the terrorist organization Hezbollah in order to allow the residents of the north to return safely to their homes."

In a related context, the two Syrian sources and one of the Lebanese sources reported that Russian forces left the Tel al-Hara site, the highest point in Daraa governorate in southern Syria and a strategic observation point. A Syrian military officer attributed the Russians' departure to understandings with the Israelis to avoid clashes.

Levant-Agencies

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