As Syrian Fighting Nears Border, Israel Considers Its Options

[JayAtl]

ELYAKIM, Israel — Syrian rebel groups briefly took control Thursday of the only crossing between Israel and Syria, bringing the intense violence of that nation’s civil war closer than ever to the Golan Heights, where farmers were told to stay out of their fields, tourists were turned away from cherry-picking and roads were closed.

At the same time, not 70 miles away, scores of Israeli soldiers engaged in an elaborate combat exercise preparing for what is increasingly seen here as an inevitable war with Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militant group that has come to the aid of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria.

The confluence of events confronted Israel with the complex reality of a civil war just across the border in which both sides are hostile to the Jewish state. Hezbollah has vowed in recent weeks that it would facilitate attacks on Israel through the heights. And the most effective rebel force is made up of radical Sunnis aligned with Al Qaeda, while many of the other militias are led by self-identified Islamists.

The result has been a kind of paralysis in Israeli society, where options are debated but no clear consensus has emerged about which outcome of the Syrian crisis is preferable or how to prepare for it. The situation grew even more worrisome for Israel on Thursday with hours of fierce battle at the Quneitra crossing, after which the Syrian government claimed it had regained control and the United Nations peacekeeping force that has patrolled the area for 40 years was at risk of disintegrating.

“It’s definitely a heightened risk, if only because it blurs the situation,” said Daniel Nisman, a Middle East intelligence expert at Max Security Solutions, a Tel Aviv geopolitical risk consultancy. “What it means is that the Golan Heights is a lot more unstable and requires a lot more vigilance.”

On Thursday Austria pulled its 380 troops from the 1,000-member United Nations force that has patrolled the so-called buffer zone between Israel and Syria since a 1974 armistice deal. In a statement, Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it regretted Austria’s decision and hoped “that it will not be conducive to further escalation in the region.” Analysts said a withdrawal of the United Nations force could turn Israel’s quietest border into a no man’s land where terrorists are free to operate.

“This is going to be one of the most complicated situations we are going to face in the near future,” said Amnon Sofrin, a retired Israeli general who lectures at Israel’s National Defense College.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/06/07/world/middleeast/syrian-rebels-golan-heights.html?ref=world

 

[Globenim]

Ironic considering the fact that it is Israel who is far inside Syrian territory with its occupation forces.

 

[Archdemon]

Ironic considering the fact that it is Israel who is far inside Syrian territory with its occupation forces.

Any proof?

 

[Globenim]

Any proof?

Israeli occupation forces are located in the Syrian Golan heights.
Syrian are fighting close to it. Even this article mentioned the Syrian army is fighting close to the outposts of the Israeli occupation forces.

What should I proof?

 

[East Asia United]

Any proof?

You guys are occupying the Golan Heights.

Every country in the world recognizes this as Syrian territory.

Just a fact (leave me out of this).

 

[Archdemon]

Ironic considering the fact that it is Israel who is far inside Syrian territory with its occupation forces.

?..................

 

[JayAtl]

Ironic considering the fact that it is Israel who is far inside Syrian territory with its occupation forces.

Israeli occupation forces are located in the Syrian Golan heights.
Syrian are fighting close to it. Even this article mentioned the Syrian army is fighting close to the outposts of the Israeli occupation forces.

What should I proof?

You guys are occupying the Golan Heights.

Every country in the world recognizes this as Syrian territory.

Just a fact (leave me out of this).

The queens of " See here- because it was written in ancient Chinese books therefore all of SCS is mine " is lecturing others on who is occupying what.

 

[Globenim]

?..................

What are are you asking for?

 

[Hack-Hook]

I wonder when Hezbollah said they want to use Golan height to attack Israel .

 

[Archdemon]

What are are you asking for?

Far inside Syria, 30km is maximal depth Israel is in, hardly far inside considering Syria size.

 

[Battle of Kursk]

During Quneitra clashes, Israel threatened to attack Syrian forces, UN peacekeeping chief says
UN's peacekeeping chief told a special UNSC session that Assad regime military tanks entered Golan Heights demilitarized zone during clashes at Quneitra border post, and IDF threatened to respond. Senior IDF official confirms the warning was given.

During Quneitra clashes, Israel threatened to attack Syrian forces, UN peacekeeping chief says - Diplomacy & Defense - Israel News | Haaretz Daily Newspaper

The situation was very tense, no wonder an emergency UN security council was called.