Israel’s actions in the Syrian buffer zone: a strategic maneuver or a violation? Newslooks Washington DC Mary Sidiqi Evening Edition The collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria presents a double-edged scenario for Israel: increased security risks and potential strategic opportunities. Israel’s recent occupation of a UN-mandated buffer zone, presented as a defensive measure, has drawn strong international criticism. The move reflects Israel’s broader concerns about Iranian influence and the threat posed by Hezbollah, as well as its commitment to border security.
Fall of Assad and Israel’s strategic buffer zone: a quick overview
- Instability in Syria:Israel fears that Syrian unrest could spread beyond its borders after the collapse of the Assad regime.
- Occupancy of the buffer zone:Temporary Israeli control of a 400 square kilometer demilitarized zone established after the 1974 ceasefire.
- International condemnation:Global critics accuse Israel of violating treaties and exploiting the Syrian chaos for territorial gains.
- Israel’s broader goals:Disruption of Iranian arms smuggling routes to Hezbollah via Syria.
- UN response:Peacekeepers report violations; The Security Council will look into the issue at Russia’s request.
- Future plans:Establish a safe zone and continue pre-emptive strikes against threats in Syria.
Deep look
Context of the conflict
The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has plunged the region into uncertainty, with Israel taking proactive measures to secure its borders amid the chaos. Assad’s fall has weakened Syrian central authority, leaving a vacuum that Israel fears could be exploited by hostile actors, including Iranian proxies and Hezbollah militants. For years, Iran has used Syria as a conduit to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon, a threat Israel is determined to neutralize.
Israel’s advance in the buffer zone
Over the weekend, Israeli forces began advancing into a demilitarized buffer zone along the Syrian border, established under a 1974 U.N.-brokered ceasefire agreement. The 400-square-kilometer zone separates Syria from the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, territory captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed – a move not recognized by most of the international community.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the operation as a temporary defensive maneuver, intended to prevent instability from spreading in Israel. He cited the abandonment of Syrian military positions near the border as a security risk, requiring Israeli intervention. Mr Netanyahu also highlighted fears that a repeat of previous attacks on UN peacekeepers by Syrian rebels could further destabilize the region.
International and regional reactions
The incursion drew sharp criticism. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry has accused Israel of exploiting internal unrest in Syria to expand its control over Syrian territory, in violation of international law. The UN also expressed concern, warning that Israel’s presence in the buffer zone constituted a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that soldiers from The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) peacekeeping force remained stationed in the area, but described the area as “tense.”
The UN Security Council is expected to meet for discussions at Russia’s request, further highlighting the international implications of Israel’s actions.
Strategic military objectives
Israeli military leaders stressed that the capture of the buffer zone was not an act of aggression but a calculated measure to secure its borders. Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to establish a broader security zone beyond the buffer zone, targeting heavy artillery installations and limiting Iranian arms deliveries through Syria.
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar revealed that Israeli strikes targeted chemical weapons and long-range missile depots to prevent these assets from falling into the hands of hostile actors. Although the exact timing of these operations is not disclosed, such preventive actions are expected to continue.
Tactical strategy or long-term strategy
Military analysts believe that the Israeli presence in the buffer zone is primarily a tactical maneuver, motivated by immediate security concerns rather than long-term territorial ambitions. According to Carmit Valensi of the Institute for National Security Studies in Tel Aviv, the operation is a response to the collapse of the Syrian army and the dynamic nature of the conflict along the border.
This is not the first time that Israel has intervened in the buffer zone. Satellite images taken earlier this year revealed Israeli construction projects along the border, as well as occasional incursions into the demilitarized zone. Such activities have further strained relations with the UN and neighboring states.
Humanitarian and diplomatic efforts
In addition to military operations, Israel uses soft power to strengthen its position in the region. Opening up to Syria’s Druze community – a religious minority with historic ties to Israel – is a key part of its strategy. Efforts are also being made to build ties with moderate Syrian rebel groups, with the aim of preventing Iranian-backed factions from reclaiming lost territory.
Israel’s humanitarian aid to war-torn southern Syria as part of Operation Good Neighbor illustrates its desire to establish non-diplomatic relations in the region. Between 2013 and 2018, Israel provided food, medicine and other assistance to Syrian civilians, and treated more than 4,000 wounded in Israeli hospitals. These efforts could serve as a basis for renewed engagement as the situation evolves.
Implications for regional stability
Israel’s actions in the buffer zone represent a delicate balance between responding to immediate security threats and managing long-term geopolitical repercussions. The occupation, although described as temporary, could exacerbate tensions with neighboring countries and provoke retaliatory measures from Syria or its allies.
As the region grapples with the fall of Assad, Israel’s strategy highlights its broader goal of countering Iranian influence and securing its borders. Continued strikes on strategic targets and diplomatic efforts will likely remain central to the Israeli approach. However, the success of these measures will depend on maintaining international support and managing the delicate dynamics of the Syrian conflict.
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