(Ha'aretz) Amos Harel - Israel has gotten used to the idea of the reestablishment of control by Assad's forces over the entire border with Israel in the Golan Heights. "The story is over," a senior defense official said. The IDF's Northern Command estimates the final push will take a few weeks, once the order is given. Israel will prevent any spillover of fire into its territory and will respond with force if the Syrian army violates the Disengagement Agreement with Syria from 1974. The fighting in southwest Syria currently involves operations around Daraa, 60 km. east of the Israeli border. Assad is a vile murderer, but his regime is looking for stability and not a confrontation with Israel - and is aware of the balance of power between the two countries. Between 1974 and 2013, when the Assad government lost control over southern Syria, the Golan was Israel's quietest front. The main question will be: Who else will come to the Golan along with the Assad regime? It is unlikely that the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and Hizbullah will pass on the temptation to draw closer to the border with Israel after the recapture of the Syrian Golan.
2018-07-06 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive