News Digest — 12/2/24
Assad Regime’s Potential Collapse Raises New Security Concerns For Israel
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened a security meeting Sunday evening (1st) to discuss developments in Syria, as Israeli officials assess that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is allowing Iranian forces to enter the country to protect his regime – a move that could directly impact the northern front.
Arab sources reported Sunday (1st) that pro-Iranian militia reinforcements arrived in eastern Syria, where they met with advisers from Iran’s Revolutionary Guards. Later, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi landed in Damascus for meetings with Assad.
Before the meeting, diplomatic sources said that Israel was closely monitoring developments, particularly their potential impact on the Lebanon ceasefire agreement. Additionally, officials were examining implications for Russia’s role, given its previous efforts in preventing weapons transfers from Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The rebels’ capture of northern Syria has damaged Iranian and Hezbollah infrastructure, potentially hampering the terrorist organization’s rehabilitation efforts – a development seen as positive for Israel. Assessments suggest that under attack, Assad might become more vulnerable and less focused on Iranian regional interests.
However, concern exists that an Assad regime collapse could create space for new military threats against Israel. Israeli officials consistently emphasize that the IDF will maintain operational freedom in Lebanon and Syria to prevent Hezbollah’s renewed strengthening. While the weakening of Iran’s influence in Syria is seen as positive in the short term, long-term implications remain uncertain.
Security forces assess that the fall of Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, to HTS militia forces embarrasses Moscow and could affect its relevance to Lebanon’s stabilization – particularly regarding Russia’s military resources that won’t now be invested in constraining Iran’s efforts to arm Hezbollah.
Before his Damascus visit, amid rebels capture of Aleppo, Araghchi accused the US and Israel of enabling “the reemergence of terrorist elements in the region.” Speaking at an Iranian Navy forum, Araghchi claimed, “Each day brings a new conspiracy. Terrorist presence in the region is growing. These infidel forces march shoulder to shoulder with the US and Israel. Their protectors should know all their attempts will fail.”
Simultaneously, Assad’s forces announced reinforcements arriving in northern Hama to support troops’ advancement in the sector, claiming that Syrian rebel forces retreated after their advance was halted by Russian and Syrian air force strikes targeting rebel forces, headquarters, and weapons depots. An Assad military unit also reported that its soldiers blocked rebel forces in the Khatab village area northwest of Hama.
In northern Syria, rebels gained complete control of Aleppo. HTS jihadist operatives seized the Assad family’s guest palace in the city, along with prisons and entire neighborhoods. City residents expressed concern about the organization which is affiliated with Al-Qaeda.
According to Arab reports, rebels in the Aleppo area also captured an Assad army general, identified as Malak Hassan Mikhber. Numerous recordings from the northern province showed dozens of captured Assad army soldiers and Shiite militia operatives. In one recording, rebels presented “between 45 and 60 soldiers” from Assad’s army captured in the desert area of Khanasir city in southeastern Aleppo province. “We’re sending a message to Assad’s gangs,” the rebel spokesperson said, “Surrender will be welcomed. Today in Khanisir, Tomorrow in Homs. God Willing.”
Other footage showed detained members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, which cooperates with Assad’s army and fights rebels, some of whom are funded by Turkey. Kurdish female fighters were also among those captured by Syrian rebels.
Against this backdrop, the Syrian democratic Forces accused that the offensive is “orchestrated by the Turkish occupation state, with the ultimate goal of conquering all Syrian territory.” The Kurds, for their part, complained that their autonomous regions are “under extensive attack.” The Kurdish-controlled organization declared general mobilization.
Additionally, rebel forces took control of a military airport east of Aleppo. Among other findings, they discovered what is suspected to be an Iranian drone. North of there, in the Kurdish-controlled city of Tel Rifaat, exchanges of fire were reported, and sources affiliated with the rebels reported its capture.
Netanyahu: We’re Following The Situation In Syria, Enforcing Ceasefire In Lebanon
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday (1st) visited the Tel Hashomer IDF Induction Center, meeting with new recruits to the Armored Corps.
At the start of his visit, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz met with the recruits before they donned their uniforms. Afterward they spoke with the new recruits, answering their questions.
The two also received a briefing from IDF Personnel Directorate chief Major General Dado Bar Kalifa, regarding the enlistment to the Armored Corps.
The prime minister was impressed by the younger generation’s willingness to enlist in combat roles, and especially in the Armored Corps.
Concluding the visit, Netanyahu said, “We are here with the new recruits to the Armored Corps. There is a large uptick in enlistment. There is a powerful spirit, and this spirit is that of the generation of victory – and we are winning.”
He added, “At the same time, we are constantly following what is happening in Syria. We are determined to protect the State of Israel’s critical interests, and to preserve the achievements from the war. In this regard, we are also enforcing the ceasefire in a very aggressive fashion, and every violation is immediately met by a powerful response by the IDF. That is how it was – and that is what will be. We will continue to protect Israel’s security.”
Katz added, “We came here, the Prime Minister and myself, in order to meet the new recruits to the Armored Corps. It warms the heart to see the strength, the determination, and the commitment. The people who came are determined to show that we will fulfill the tasks – and we will win.”
IDF Says Paratroopers Killed Armed Hezbollah Operatives near A Church In Southern Lebanon
On Saturday night (11/30), the Israeli military says soldiers of the Paratroopers’ Brigade spotted a group of armed Hezbollah operatives close to a church in southern Lebanon, a site previously known to have been used by the terror group.
The paratroopers opened fire at the gunmen, killing them, the IDF said.
The terrorists who were eliminated were active in Hezbollah’s ground defense, anti-tank and artillery arrays in the area, and took part in the fighting while using the church,” the military said in a statement.
After the operatives were killed, the IDF said soldiers scanned the church on Sunday (1st) and located a tunnel shaft that was used to store weapons.
The IDF is still deployed to southern Lebanon and it has until late January to withdraw under the ceasefire deal.
IDF Continues To Dismantle Hezbollah Infrastructure In Southern Lebanon – Amir Bohbot
Senior IDF officials believe that failing to eliminate Hezbollah’s terror infrastructure would allow it to quickly rebuild its capabilities. According to Israeli intelligence, Hezbollah is working to save weapons, technologies, and military equipment by transferring them to the north.
“Anything we don’t manage to destroy or transfer to Israeli territory will remain in Hezbollah’s hands,” a source in the IDF Northern Command said on Sunday (1st). “No one is counting on the Lebanese Army to destroy Hezbollah’s terror houses and outposts in place of the IDF.”
“The moment the IDF is no longer present in southern Lebanon, we rely solely on ourselves – not on UNIFIL or the Lebanese Army, even when U.S. oversight arrives. Facing this threat, deterrence is key. Any armed Hezbollah activity in the area must be attacked, even at the cost of escalation,” a Northern Command reservist officer said.
IDF engineering work has recently begun along the Lebanese border, focusing on building a new fence, a triple-layered barrier, sensors, and observation systems. Moreover, outposts and bases damaged by rockets are set to be renovated and restored.
IDF: Ballistic Missile Launched By Houthis From Yemen Intercepted
A ballistic missile launched at Israel from Yemen was successfully intercepted by air defenses outside of Israel’s borders, the Israel Defense Forces said Sunday (1st).
Sirens were triggered across central Israel at around 6:30 a.m. Shrapnel from the interception reportedly fell within Israel. There were no reports of major damage.
Four people were lightly injured as they ran for shelter during the sirens, the Magen David Adom emergency service said.
The surface-to-surface missile was shot down with the Arrow defense system, which is designed to take out ballistic missiles while they are still outside the atmosphere. According to an Israeli Air Force source, the missile was shot down at a “high altitude.”
The Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen later took responsibility for launching the missile.
In a statement, the group claimed to have targeted a “vital target” in central Israel. The Houthis also vowed to continue attacks on Israel until “the aggression on the Gaza Strip stops.”
Last week, Houthi leader Abdul Malik Al-Houthi said the rebels will keep up their attacks regardless of the truce that halted 14 months of conflict initiated by Hezbollah in Lebanon. The terror group says it is acting in support of fellow Iran-backed-proxy Hamas in the Gaza Strip, against which Israel is waging war; the Houthis say they are attacking Israel for the same reason as Hezbollah.
Houthi rebels, part of Iran’s “axis of resistance” against Israel and the United States, have fired over 220 ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones at Israel since the outbreak of the Gaza war. That conflict began on October 7 last year when Hamas led a massive cross-border attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and saw 251 taken hostage. The war in Gaza is still ongoing.
Israel has twice bombed Houthi targets in retaliation for its ballistic missile and drone attacks, including one that killed a man in Tel Aviv.
The Houthis have also waged a harassment campaign against shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden during the Gaza war, severely disrupting the vital trade route.
“I hope everyone in the army and among the people is aware of our responsibility, and with God’s help we’ll do more… against the Israel enemy,” Al-Houthi said.
“We at the Yemen front are doing our utmost to support the Palestinian people,” he added.
They have targeted more than 80 merchant vessels with missiles and drones since the war in Gaza started last October, including seizing one vessel and sinking two in a campaign that also killed four sailors. Other missiles and drones have either been intercepted by a US-led coalition in the Red Sea or failed to reach their targets, which have included Western military vessels.
The rebels maintain that they target ships linked to Israel, the US, or the United Kingdom to force an end to Israel’s campaign against the Hamas terror group in Gaza. However, many of the ships attacked have little or no connection to the conflict, including some bound for Iran.
Israeli Jets Block Iranian Plane Suspected Of Ferrying Arms To Hezbollah Over Syria
An Iranian flight suspected of ferrying arms to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon was blocked by the Israeli Air Force over Syria early Sunday morning (1st)), the Tines of Israel learned.
IAF fighter jets intercepted the Iranian plane over Syria and ordered it to turn around, and it did a short while later, a defense source said. The incident was first reported by Ynet.
The interception of the flight came as part of Israel’s efforts to prevent Iranian weapons from reaching the Lebanese terror group, during a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.
In recent months the Israel Defense Forces has forced several Iranian flights to make U-turns over Syria or Iraqi airspace, after they were suspected of carrying weapons to Hezbollah.
The IDF has said that, during the truce, it would continue to act to prevent all weapons deliveries to the Lebanese terror group, including by striking shipments anywhere in Lebanon or Syria.
Last week, a senior military official said that the IDF would not just strike the weapon shipments, but Syrian President Bashar Assad’s regime would pay for aiding Hezbollah.
In the hours before the ceasefire early Wednesday (27th), the IDF carried out strikes against Hezbollah’s smuggling routes.
Three border crossings between northern Lebanon and Syria, which the military said were used by Hezbollah to smuggle weapons, were destroyed. The IDF assessed that it would take time to repair the crossings, and during that time, Hezbollah would have limited routes to bring in weapons, which would be easier for Israel to monitor.
On Saturday (11/30), during the ceasefire, IAF fighter jets struck infrastructure in Syria near the country’s border crossings with Lebanon, which the IDF said were “actively” used by Hezbollah to transfer weapons.
Thousands of trucks and hundreds of planes carrying missiles and other components for Hezbollah have traveled from Iran to Syria, and later to Lebanon, in recent years, according to the IDF.
Reports of Israeli strikes on Hezbollah weapons shipments began to emerge in 2013, with Israel officially keeping mum to avoid blowback from Damascus and allies, in light of the civil war there.
It has increasingly opened up in recent years about the sorties, which have complemented a longstanding aerial campaign aimed at keeping Iran from gaining a foothold near Syria’s border with Israel..
