Russian Military Official's Visit to Israel for Coordination on Syria

The spokesperson for the Israeli army announced the imminent visit of the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian army to Israel for 'coordination' regarding Russia's military operations in Syria. Simultaneously, the acting Prime Minister of Israel confirmed that Russia had informed Israel in advance of its airstrikes in Syria. According to Israeli media, the army spokesperson stated on Friday, October 1, that discussions between General Nikolai Bogdanovsky, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Russian army, and his Israeli counterpart, General Yair Golan, will take place on Tuesday, October 3, at the army headquarters in Tel Aviv. The spokesperson indicated that coordination of air, naval, and electromagnetic activities between the two countries concerning Syria will be discussed in the Bogdanovsky-Golan negotiations. Meanwhile, while Benjamin Netanyahu remains in New York, Yisrael Katz, the acting Prime Minister of Israel, told his country's media that Russia had informed Israel hours before the start of military operations in Syria. Israeli Radio reported last Thursday that Russia communicated its decision for airstrikes in Syria to Israel through Yossi Cohen, Israel's National Security Adviser. According to this radio, Katz added that 'the recent airstrikes by Russia in Syria were not outside the understandings between the leaders of Israel and Russia regarding Syria.' This Israeli official stated that his country had 'clearly' outlined its 'red lines' to Russia. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, during a brief visit to Moscow two weeks ago, stated that in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, an agreement was reached for the two countries to coordinate regarding Syria. Until Netanyahu's meeting with Putin two weeks ago, only the Israeli Defense Minister had reported the presence of several Russian military forces in Syria, and the Russian air force had not yet begun airstrikes in Syria. According to global media, Israel has bombed targets in Syria several times in recent years, which Syria has confirmed in some cases. However, Israeli officials have consistently stated that they do not accept responsibility for these attacks, asserting that the transfer of advanced weaponry from Syrian territory to Hezbollah, which would 'disturb the balance of power,' is Israel's 'red line.' Arab media reported last week on new airstrikes by the Israeli army on three 'targets' in Syria, following the landing of two mortar shells from Syrian territory into Israel on Saturday, September 24. The Israeli Ministry of Defense, in a statement on Sunday, September 25, without accepting responsibility for the airstrikes in Syria, stated that the mortar fire from Syria into Israeli territory constituted a crossing of a 'red line.' Israel claims that Iran is seeking to open a 'new front' against Israel from the Golan Heights, but acknowledges that the recent mortar fire was part of the Syrian civil war. The expansion of coordination between Israel and Russia regarding Syria comes as Russia began direct military intervention in Syria on Wednesday, October 1. Some observers say that the strengthening of Russia's military presence in the Mediterranean Sea and Russian airspace could complicate Israel's future efforts to attack Syria, motivated by the destruction of arms shipments to Hezbollah.