Netanyahu Warns of Iran's 'Military Presence Stabilization' in Syria

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that his government is closely monitoring Iran's actions in Syria and efforts to send weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon. On Sunday, the Israeli army targeted Syrian army positions for the second consecutive day due to mortar fire landing in Israeli territory. Netanyahu, during a weekly cabinet meeting on July 4, declared, 'Our policies are clear; we will not accept 'pebbles' from the Syrian war, mortars, and missiles mistakenly hitting our territory. We will respond to any attack on our land and citizens with military force.' These remarks came after the Israeli army attacked Syrian army positions for the second day in a row, citing mortar fire between Syrian government forces and rebels at the Israeli border. On Saturday, Israel reported that mortar attacks targeted northern Israel, prompting its air force to strike Assad's tanks in Quneitra province. Israeli media indicated that similar events continued, with the army attacking several Syrian army positions, targeting 'two artillery pieces and a vehicle carrying ammunition.' An Israeli army spokesperson stated that their military does not intervene in the Syrian civil war; however, anything that could harm Israeli sovereignty and citizens will be closely monitored. Netanyahu, in addition to reacting to recent events at the Syrian border, once again warned about Iran's 'military influence' around Israel, expressing deep concern over Iran's efforts to establish a military presence in Syria and closely monitoring the transfer of military weapons to Hezbollah. These remarks followed a speech by Hassan Nasrallah, the Secretary-General of Hezbollah, on July 2, where he stated, 'Israel should know that in any future war it starts with Lebanon, Syria, or Gaza, tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, from Iraq, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan will join the battle.' Netanyahu has previously warned about Iran's actions near its borders, emphasizing the policy of 'countering Iran's influence in Syria' during a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev last November. Last month, before a trip to Moscow, he stated that Israel's actions focus on 'preventing the transfer of advanced weapons from Iran to Hezbollah and preventing Iran from attacking Israel through Syria.' Iran and Russia are considered the main supporters of Bashar al-Assad in the Syrian civil war. Last week, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard launched ballistic missiles into Deir ez-Zor, Syria, following deadly attacks in Tehran claimed by ISIS. This attack was also described as a 'warning' to what the Revolutionary Guard termed 'regional and trans-regional supporters of Takfiri terrorists.' Shortly after, Netanyahu warned Iran not to threaten his country.