On May 10, 2018, an Israeli soldier stands overlooking the Syrian side from an observation point on Mount Bental in the Golan Heights, an area occupied by Israel. According to exclusive information obtained by Reuters, the Israeli military is currently clearing landmines and constructing new defensive structures between the Golan Heights and the adjacent Syrian demilitarized zone, suggesting a potential escalation of ground operations against Hezbollah.
Sources indicate that these military actions reflect Israel’s potential plan to launch its first attacks on Hezbollah from areas further east along the Lebanese border, while also establishing a secure zone that would allow Israeli forces to monitor Hezbollah’s movements and prevent infiltration.
While reports about the mine-clearing operations have surfaced, additional details from Syrian soldiers stationed in southern Syria, Lebanese security officials, and UN peacekeeping personnel reveal that Israel is moving the boundaries of the demilitarized zone further into Syrian territory and digging additional defensive fortifications in the region.
This suggests that Israel may conduct military operations, such as raids, from the Golan Heights and within the demilitarized zone, potentially escalating its conflict with Hezbollah and its allies, including the Palestinian Islamic organization Hamas. Iran’s involvement in this conflict could also provoke U.S. intervention.
Navvar Saban, a conflict analyst at the Harmoon Center in Istanbul, noted that the actions of the Israeli military in the Golan Heights appear to be a preparation for launching larger-scale ground operations against Lebanon.
He stated, “Everything happening in Syria is coordinated with Israel’s strategy in Lebanon, aimed at targeting supply routes, warehouses, and personnel related to Hezbollah’s supply lines.”
