Israel’s government views Syrian territory as ‘fair game’
Israel doesn’t feel the need to justify these kinds of military operations. Ever since the fall of the former Syrian regime and even before that, Israel was carrying out air strikes and going deep into Syrian territory.
For a year now, Israel has been occupying more and more Syrian land, carrying out operations and detaining Syrian nationals, taking them inside Israel.
In Israel itself, the latest operation is being described as extraordinary – not because Syrians were killed, but because Israeli soldiers were injured. There is criticism about the kind of preparations that took place before such an operation, even though the Israeli army admits it took weeks of preparation.
For now, the Israeli army and government treat Syrian territory as fair game.
The Israeli prime minister was inside Syrian territory occupied by Israel to make such a statement two weeks ago – that Israel will stay in Syrian territory, that it is in no hurry to reach an agreement with Damascus and that it will continue to operate to serve its perceived security interests.
Stop calling it security interests, its about Greater Israel, taking more territory in Southern Lebanon, Western Syria, the Jordan Valley.
‘Broad Israeli support’ for military action in Syria
The support for extraterritorial Israeli action in Syria, in Lebanon and elsewhere in the region does enjoy broad support across the Israeli political spectrum, whether it’s the coalition or the opposition.
This is an interesting development because, paradoxically, Damascus enjoys the support of the administration of US President Donald Trump, but it is that administration which recognises Israel’s illegal annexation of the Golan Heights.
There are contradictory policies at play, and so far, we haven’t seen any pushback to Israeli action in Syria. There have been interventions to avoid further deterioration, like when Israel struck the Ministry of Defence in Damascus or when Israel was not allowing Syrian forces to enter southern Syria because Israel wants the entire area, until 60km (37 miles) from Damascus, to be demilitarised.
Those interventions are tactical, to de-escalate, but not really to stop Israel from doing exactly what it has been doing in Syria, Lebanon and beyond.
That's Israel's playbook, keep their surrounding countries weak and divided while stealing more territory.
