Why is Israel Targeting Syria? | Latest Developments in the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Israel has launched attacks on several locations across Syria, an action Damascus has condemned as a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated that the attacks “serve as a warning for the future.”

Referring to Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa by his former nom de guerre, “Jolani,” Katz warned, “If you allow hostile forces to enter Syria and threaten Israeli security interests, you will pay a heavy price.”

He did not specify what he meant by “hostile forces.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Israel’s aggression against Syria.

When and where were the attacks?

According to the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli raids on April 2 nearly destroyed the Hama airbase and left dozens injured.

Israel also targeted the T4 airbase near Palmyra in central Syria, one of the country’s most strategic and largest airfields.

The T4 base has logistical advantages due to its road connections to Damascus and Homs.

Reports suggest that Türkiye is interested in stationing defense systems and aircraft at the base.

On Thursday, Israel shelled areas near Nawa in the southern province of Deraa, with authorities reporting nine civilian deaths and several injuries.

Are Israel and Syria on bad terms?

Syria and Israel have never formalized diplomatic relations.

Since assuming power after the overthrow of al-Assad, President al-Sharaa has maintained that his government does not seek conflict with Israel and will not allow Syria to be used by external parties as a launching pad for attacks.

He has condemned Israel’s attacks on Syria and its gradual expansion beyond the already-occupied Golan Heights.

On its part, the Israeli leadership has labeled Syria’s transitional government as “a terror group from Idlib that took Damascus by force.”

Israel frequently refers to the Syrian government as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the armed group led by al-Sharaa that spearheaded the offensive against former President Bashar al-Assad in December last year.

What does Israel say it wants from Syria?

Israel claims it is acting in self-defense, and its Prime Minister has made some unconventional demands.

Speaking in late February, Netanyahu stated, “We will not allow forces from the ‘HTS organization’ or the new Syrian army to enter the area south of Damascus.”

Israeli forces occupied the Syrian demilitarized territory bordering Israeli-occupied Syrian land, including the Yarmouk riverbed and al-Wehda Dam, immediately after al-Assad fled the country.

Netanyahu announced that Israeli forces would remain there indefinitely.

According to Ynet News, the Israeli army has advertised “hiking tours” where tourists, escorted by Israeli soldiers, are encouraged to celebrate Passover by trespassing through Syrian territory seized after al-Assad’s fall after first crossing the Golan Heights, which Israel has occupied since the 1967 war.

Robin Yassin Kassab, a Syrian writer and co-author of Burning Country: Syrians in Revolution and War, said Israel’s territorial ambitions are not surprising.

“Israel is opportunistic, and they will always see what they can get away with. If they can take more territory, they will,” he said.

Does Israel have other intentions?

Reports suggest Israel aims to counter Turkish influence in Syria, according to sources involved in U.S.-Israeli discussions on the subject who spoke to Reuters in February.

Reuters reported that Israel has been lobbying U.S. officials to maintain Russian military bases in Syria for Israel’s benefit.

Sources told Reuters that U.S. officials were surprised Israel would advocate for Russia’s presence instead of relying on NATO ally Türkiye to stabilize the region.

Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar has accused Ankara of being a “negative” influence.

“They are doing their utmost to turn Syria into a Turkish protectorate. It’s clear that is their intention,” he stated at a news conference in Paris on Thursday.

Did Türkiye respond to Israel’s attacks?

On Thursday, Türkiye’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Israel to withdraw from Syria.

“To establish regional security, Israel must first abandon its expansionist policies, withdraw from occupied territories, and cease undermining efforts to stabilize Syria,” the ministry said.

Türkiye played a key role in supporting Syria’s opposition during the war against al-Assad and maintains strong ties with the transitional government in Damascus.

What can Syria do?

Syria has limited options, as the country is physically and economically devastated after 14 years of civil war, Kassab noted.

He added that al-Sharaa has few allies to turn to for assistance besides Türkiye.

“It’s not the government forces fighting Israel. It’s local people in Syrian towns trying to defend themselves,” Kassab told Al Jazeera.

He added that locals in Homs and Hama had mobilized to resist Israeli incursions.

However, he noted that Israeli media had labeled these fighters as “HTS members,” echoing the Israeli government’s rhetoric to justify attacks in southern Syria.

“It’s appalling that the so-called international community is not doing anything to stop Israel,” Kassab added.