Click to see full-size image. (Israeli Defense Forces)
Israel suspects that the Syrian intelligence was involved in the attack that targeted its troops in the south of the country on November 28 and could respond by expanding operations, especially strikes, in the region if this is confirmed, Hebrew media reported.
The attack targeted troops from the 55th Reserve Paratroopers Brigade of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) while they were conducting an operation in the town of Beit Jinn in the governorate of Rif Dimashq to detain members of the al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya (Islamic Group).
The military said in a statement that intelligence information collected in recent weeks indicated that the suspects were operating in the town and worked to advance attacks on Israel.
Six Israeli troops were wounded, including two seriously, as a result of the attack in Beit Jinn, which is located outside the Golan Heights’ buffer zone that was occupied by the IDF following the fall of the regime of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last year.
IDF retaliatory strikes killed at least 20 people, including children, according to Syrian media. The strikes allowed the Israeli troops to withdraw with three detained suspects.
Israel’s Channel 13 said that the IDF could transition to conducting fewer arrest operations against “terror operatives” active near the border and instead increase strikes to eliminate targets.
Meanwhile, Kan news reported that Israel has identified that some of those planning attacks against IDF soldiers and the Druze community in southern Syria work for the Syrian intelligence. It was unclear from the report if these alleged intelligence operatives were planning upon orders from their commanders, or by themselves.
The Syrian Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli operations, describing it in a statement published by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency as a “war crime.”
“Syria denounces… the criminal aggression” the ministry said in the statement, adding that such acts aim to “ignite the region” in conflict.
The deadly clash in Beit Jinn came following Hebrew media reports suggesting that talks between Israel and Syria on a security agreement had reached a dead end.
Commenting on the clash in Beit Jinn, a Syrian official told Al-Jazeera that some sides within Israel are “deliberately obstructing efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region and are seeking to inflame the situation.” The source also accused Israel of fabricating names of groups that threaten its security in a failed attempt to interfere in Syria.
Al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya is, however, real. The group is linked to the Muslim Brotherhood network. Its armed wing, the al-Fajr Forces, carried out multiple attacks against Israel from Lebanon, often coordinating with Hezbollah and Hamas, during the last confrontation there, Israel responded by attacking targets of the group in both Lebanon and Syria.
All recent developments indicate that Israel is planning to escalate its operations in Syria, specifically in the south of the country. Still, a full-on confrontation remains highly-unlikely as Syria will not respond. The two sides could go back to talks in a few weeks.
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well they’ve had crusades into. israel since even before the middle ages. they all want it. they just can’t stand the fact that that jesus was a jew basically. it really is a thorn in their side.