Israeli military influence inside Syrian territory is growing: Report

Israel's Channel 12 revealed on Tuesday a significant expansion of Israeli military influence within Syrian territory.

The channel reported that Israel currently possesses "advanced fire control and surveillance capabilities" covering large areas inside Syria, reaching as far as the capital, Damascus, reflecting a clear escalation in the level of Israeli penetration.

According to the channel, approximately 40,000 Syrian civilians are currently located within the areas now under Israeli control in southern Syria, raising questions about the future of these areas and their residents.

According to the report, Israeli security assessments also revealed the presence of a large number of active security cells within Syrian territory, prompting the Israeli army to take preemptive measures, including considering "every Syrian home to contain weapons" and fully preparing for any sudden security operations that may arise.

In the context of the military movements, the channel reported that the Israeli army has divided southern Syria into three main zones, with the aim of preventing the consolidation of what it described as "the new regime's control" and ensuring the extension of multi-level influence, from the border to the capital, Damascus.

However, despite these statements, the fact remains that Israel is well aware that it is incapable of engaging in a direct, large-scale confrontation on the ground with the Syrians. Historical experience and the nature of Syria's geography, in addition to its social and military complexities, make any comprehensive ground intervention a major risk.

Israel may impose air control and carry out qualitative operations, but it will be drawn into a major battle if it considers expanding on the ground inside Syria. There is potential popular resistance, and a security and military infrastructure that cannot be easily overcome, meaning that Tel Aviv may be opening a long-term, costly front.

It seems that talk of "dividing areas of control" and "monitoring all the way to Damascus" bears more of a propaganda character than reality, especially in light of the new regional balances taking shape in Syria, which could make any Israeli adventure a turning point in the conflict, rather than the easy victory portrayed by the Hebrew media.