Israel's Syria Assault: A Deeper Dive into the Conflict

On September 8 , 2024 , the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) executed one of the most daring and complex operations in its history: a deep-penetration commando raid into Syria targeting an underground missile-production facility near Masyaf, codenamed Deep Layer. Israeli forces advanced several kilometres into southern Syria this week, where they destroyed homes and razed vast acres of land, as Israel's strikes with Iran entered its second week. Mapping Israel’s expanding air attacks across Syria Israel has launched hundreds of air strikes in Syria since December 2024, averaging one every three to four days. Israel used to attack Syria frequently, targeting Iranian weapons being funneled through the country to Hezbollah militants in neighboring Lebanon. But those supply routes were cut off with the. Israel has pushed troops further into parts of southern Syria , citing the need to secure its borders from armed groups as Arab leaders and Iran have accused Israel of attempting to seize. Israel’s persistent and escalating attacks – most notably the April 2025 strikes on targets adjacent to al-Shara’s presidential palace – look less preventative and more like an increasingly brazen attempt to goad Syria into a war . The Syrian civil war played a pivotal role in enabling Israel's extensive intelligence penetration into Hezbollah, effectively transforming it into a vast repository of insights on Hezbollah.