In a dramatic turn of events since Islamist rebels ousted longtime Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has boldly proclaimed the potential for Israel to reshape the Middle East. Standing at the edge of the Golan Heights, he remarked on the “very important opportunities” this political upheaval presents for Israel. As Syria grapples with instability, the Israeli government is seizing the chance to solidify its control and alter territorial lines, notably through actions supported during the Trump administration’s tenure.
Netanyahu’s government views the unpredictability enveloping Syria as an opportune moment to implement changes it has long envisioned. With the swift deterioration of centralized power under Assad, Israel aims to fragment Syria into smaller autonomous regions with minor groups at the helm—consistent with Netanyahu’s strategy to redefine regional dynamics.
At the core of Israel’s strategy is a significant increase in military activity within Syria through hundreds of targeted airstrikes against Syrian military remnants, aimed at preventing any potential resurgence of ‘terrorist’ groups. Even before the dust settled from Assad’s ousting, Netanyahu mobilized forces deeper into Syria, forsaking any prior commitments to maintain a posture of ‘good neighborliness.’
The longstanding border with Syria, held stable since the 1967 war, began to show signs of alteration, thanks largely to Trump’s previous endorsement of Israel’s annexation of the Golan Heights. Recent Israeli actions have blurred the previously sacrosanct lines between Israeli and Syrian territories, advancing aspirations for greater influence.
The ensuing chaos has raised alarms about the potential birth of a hostile Islamist regime on Israel’s doorstep. This fear is compounded by an increasing alliance with Syria’s minority groups, which the Israeli government sees as a counterbalance to a possibly belligerent majority.
Soon after the establishment of a new regime led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former jihadist figure, the Israeli military’s stance drastically shifted, preparing for a sustained presence in southern Syria to stave off perceived threats. Reports indicate that Israel is willing to intervene to protect the Druze minority and newly engaged Kurdish factions, thus creating further alliances in a fraying regional landscape.
Amid a backdrop of violence and turmoil, regional commentators argue that Israel’s aggressive approach is carefully calculated but fraught with peril. Sharaa’s ascent was regarded initially with cautious optimism, yet his government has begun to match Israel’s hostile moves, signaling a more complicated future. Notably, regional powers such as Turkey, wishing to influence Syria’s trajectory, may find themselves at odds with Israel’s objectives.
While regional players jockey for position in Syria’s unpredictable landscape, the support from the Trump administration has emboldened Israel, allowing it to push further into its claimed territories. Netanyahu continues to espouse an agenda that prioritizes Israeli security while leveraging alliances in the face of changing geopolitical alliances.