Dr. Ahmed Tibi: Israel exploited the situation in Syria to occupy additional lands and deepen the occupation in the Syrian Golan

Dr. Amani Al-Qarm: The situation in Syria indicates an upcoming political vacuum and conflicts between the parties, and this will give Israel a greater opportunity to expand.

Imad Abu Awad: Israel is exploiting the absence of any real resistance from the Syrian side at this stage to determine the features of the next stage

Dr. Hassan Marhej: Israel seeks to consolidate its control over the Golan with aspirations extending to areas further into Syria

Amir Makhoul: Israel is working to consolidate its occupation of the Golan and expand its control towards Damascus, Sweida and Jabal al-Arab

Dr. Amjad Shehab: Israel adopts a policy of testing the waters, imposing facts on the ground, and using them as a negotiating card to achieve additional goals

In a move that reflects, on the one hand, the occupation state’s persistence in violating all international norms and laws and the sovereignty of neighboring countries, and on the other hand, the international community’s inability to defend its principles, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the initiative, the day before yesterday, Tuesday, to hold a meeting on Mount Hermon in the far north of the occupied Syrian Golan, with his Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi, Head of the National Security Agency (Shabak) Ronen Bar, and the Commander of the Northern Command, to assess the situation there.

Netanyahu took advantage of the visit and meeting to declare that the Golan Heights “will forever remain an integral part of the State of Israel,” noting that “Israel still faces challenges, but it is working to establish itself as a powerhouse in the region.” He said: “On this occasion, I would like to thank my friend, President-elect Donald Trump, for responding to my request to recognize Israel’s sovereignty over the Golan Heights in 2019. These heights will forever remain an integral part of the State of Israel.”

In turn, writers, analysts and politicians who spoke to “Y” considered that this meeting falls within the framework of passing political messages that the Golan has become part of Israel as a foregone conclusion, especially with the expansion of the areas controlled by his army in the Golan Heights and southern Syria in general.

Israel violates international law and America justifies it

The head of the Arab Movement for Change, MP Dr. Ahmad Tibi, said: Israel and its Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu exploited the situation in Syria to occupy additional Syrian lands and deepen the occupation in the Syrian Golan, without any reaction from the international community. Moreover, the US administration described these practices as falling within the "right to self-defense."

Al-Tayyibi pointed out that the occupation of the territory of a sovereign state, which is a clear violation of international law, was justified by the United States under the umbrella of "self-defense," coinciding with a sweeping Israeli attack on Syrian territory that included the bombing of military and scientific facilities.

He added: Before that, Israeli officials spoke clearly about deepening Israeli settlement in the Syrian Golan.

Al-Tayyibi stressed that there are those in the Israeli government who seek to continue this occupation of the new Syrian lands that were seized, and that the Israeli political approach often turns the temporary into permanent.

He explained that Netanyahu did not publicly state that this occupation is temporary, but rather indirectly indicated his desire to expand settlements, which indicates that the current occupation is heading towards becoming permanent, as happened with the occupation of the Syrian Golan in 1967.

Al-Tayyibi added that the problem lies in the international silence, which sometimes reaches the level of implicit support for this occupation, in addition to the silence prevailing in the region and the Arab world, as if the matter is normal, which is not the case at all.

Regarding the establishment of the David's Corridor project from the Euphrates to the Mediterranean, Al-Tayyibi said that the expansionist ideology of the Israeli government is well-known, and is evidenced by the repeated statements of a number of its ministers.

Al-Tayyibi stressed that the entire Syrian Golan must return to Syrian sovereignty, praising the position of the segments of Syrian society that stand united in confronting this occupation.

The October 7 attacks were a golden opportunity for Israel

For her part, writer and researcher on American and Israeli affairs, Dr. Amani Al-Qarm, said that the attacks of October 7, 2023, represented a golden opportunity for Israel, especially for the rising new nationalist movement and extremist religious Zionism, to reshape the region in line with the greater Israeli vision.

Al-Qarm confirmed that the balance of power in the Middle East has changed in Israel's favor, as Iran's agents such as Hamas and Hezbollah have been reduced, the Assad regime has been toppled, and the influence of the Houthis has been reduced, with the imminent possibility of a decline in Iranian influence in Iraq.

She pointed out that Iran itself is shrinking after a series of blows that have weakened it.

In contrast, Al-Qarm pointed out that Israel is living in a state of excess power, as it acts with complete freedom thanks to the unlimited support of the United States, the world's superpower.

With the expected arrival of a new US president who focuses on domestic affairs, Crimea believes that Israel will have a freer hand in the region, and will even become the nucleus of regional alliances and a strategic deterrent tool for Washington, especially after its successes in eliminating its opponents.

Al-Qarm explained that the move by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold meetings on Mount Hermon and control the buffer zone indicates a clear Israeli strategy aimed at expanding and establishing complete control over the Syrian Golan.

She stressed that Israel no longer views the Golan Heights as disputed territory, and Netanyahu himself stated that the Golan Heights will remain "Israeli forever."

$11 million to double the number of settlers in the Golan

Al-Qarm added: "Israel was quick to announce the allocation of $11 million to double the number of settlers in the Golan, in addition to building a long-term infrastructure to support the settlement."

She considered that the situation in Syria indicates an upcoming political vacuum and conflicts between the currently controlling parties, which will give Israel a greater opportunity to expand, especially with the infrastructure projects it is working on along the border in the Golan.

Al-Qarm expected the continuation of Israeli expansion in southern Syria, reaching the Jordanian and Iraqi borders, within the framework of a project known as the "David's Corridor", which is considered one of the plans of the new nationalists in Israel and religious Zionism.

She pointed out that this project revives what she describes as Zionist myths about the establishment of "Greater Israel", and provides it with major strategic benefits, including limiting Iranian influence, controlling Syrian resources, especially oil, and strengthening Israel's long hand in the region. The project also supports the establishment of a Kurdish state loyal to Israel and the United States, which enhances its interests in the region.

Israel seeks to transfer the battle to the Syrian interior

In turn, the expert in Israeli affairs, Imad Abu Awad, considered that the recent Israeli movements inside Syrian territory come within the framework of exploiting the current circumstances in Syria, which is going through a state of instability and is preoccupied with rearranging its internal affairs.

He stressed that Israel is fully aware that this stage represents a golden opportunity, given the weakness of Syria's ability to respond or take countermeasures.

Abu Awad pointed out that the Israeli incursion aims to achieve several goals, most notably: imposing ground control, and continuing to target the Syrian depth to ensure neutralizing any future threats.

He added: "Israel was aware of the nature of the former Syrian regime, which showed hostility to Israel through statements and support for Hezbollah with weapons, but in reality was seeking to continue its survival without posing a real threat to Israel."

He continued: "Today, Israel is concerned about the possibility that the Syrian scene could turn into an actual resistance instead of being limited to hostile rhetoric. Hence, Israel seeks to exploit this period to draw new features on the ground, whether in anticipation of a possible military clash in the coming years, or to establish facts on the ground that could affect any future political settlements."

Keeping the Golan Heights within the Israeli equation

Abu Awad explained that one of Israel's main goals is to move the battle into Syria, so that the theater of potential military operations becomes inside Syrian territory, not deep inside Israel. Israel also aims to influence the internal scene in Syria, in line with its declared vision of dividing Syria into regions under the control of different minorities.

He added: "Israel seeks to complicate any future international negotiations with Syria, so that the return to the situation before the fall of the Syrian regime is without addressing the occupied areas such as the Golan."

He stressed that the greater Israeli goal is to impose a new reality, which is to recognize the Golan as part of Israel, and not an occupied territory.

Abu Awad pointed out that Israel is exploiting the absence of any real resistance from the Syrian side at this stage to determine the features of the next stage.

He explained that this incursion aims to ensure that the Golan remains within the Israeli equation, whether in the event of a military conflict or within the framework of any future political settlement.

He pointed out that the Israeli expansion in Syria is not an easy step, but rather it imposes great burdens on the Israeli army and the general budget of the occupying state.

However, Abu Awad said, Israel is closely monitoring developments in Syria, hoping that its division will strengthen its control over neighboring areas. If Syria is reunited, Israel seeks to ensure that these areas remain within the framework of international settlements that may be imposed in the future.

Israel is preparing for all possible scenarios

For his part, Middle East expert Dr. Hassan Marhej said: Israel is exploiting the current situation in Syria to consolidate its control over the occupied Syrian Golan, as it seeks to impose its sovereignty over the region in a final and irreversible manner.

He added that the Israeli messages aim to emphasize that the Golan is an "integral part" of Israel, with aspirations extending to areas beyond the Golan.

Marhej pointed out the strategic and military importance of these steps, as Israel focuses on expanding and positioning itself in areas beyond Quneitra Governorate, reaching the Al-Khashab front and the highest point in Mount Hermon.

He explained that this deployment helps Israel to remove any future threat from its borders, noting that these areas are no more than 20 kilometers away from the capital, Damascus, and perhaps less.

Marhej stressed that Israel is anticipating all possible scenarios in Syria, as the internal situation in Syria is still suffering from major divisions and disagreements between the armed factions, noting that these tensions could lead to a new explosion in areas such as Idlib, southern Syria, and Jabal al-Arab, in addition to the violations and conflicts witnessed on the Syrian coast.

Turkish expansion in northern Syria

He added: "Türkiye continues its preparations to expand its influence in northern Syria, while the American presence remains concentrated in the east, which creates a state of alert in the region."

He explained that Israel is closely following these developments, and may need to expand further to enhance its national security and remove any future danger on its borders.

In a related context, Marhej pointed out that Israel plans to intensify its focus on the West Bank by 2025, as it works to neutralize any future threat that may affect its security.

Marhej pointed out that Israel was able to easily impose its control over Syrian territory without any international deterrent, with increasing support from some international parties, including the encouragement of former US President Donald Trump for these steps.

A visit to cover up other more important matters.

In turn, political analyst Amir Makhoul said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's visit to the areas that Israel recently occupied in Syria was not the most important step he took, indicating that the visit may have been to cover up other more important matters.

He explained that there are questions within Israel about the reasons for Netanyahu's absence and his whereabouts, which indicates the possibility of other plans related to visits or regional or international goals.

Makhoul added: "Israel sees the Syrian situation as a golden opportunity to consolidate its permanent occupation of the Syrian Golan, and even seeks to expand its control towards Damascus, Sweida, and Jabal al-Arab."

He pointed out that Israel might work to divide Syria and establish a region loyal to it if it succeeded, a project that has not yet been decided.

He pointed out that Israel is planning to establish a buffer zone on the border between Lebanon and Syria, under its direct control, under the pretext of preventing Hezbollah from strengthening its military capabilities.

He explained that Hezbollah is now facing major challenges as a result of regional changes and the interruption of Iranian support lines, which has put it in a more isolated position.

"Expanded Golan" and doubling the number of settlers

Makhoul stressed that Israel seeks to double the population of the Golan, but it is talking about the "expanded Golan", which goes beyond the areas occupied since 1967, and includes new lands that it wants to annex.

He explained that this plan includes strengthening control over agricultural and water resources, and is part of a clear policy to establish a Druze regional government in the Golan, despite the categorical rejection of this project by the Druze in Syria and the occupied Golan.

"Israel may find itself in trouble if it continues to occupy Syrian territory, as it may face popular Syrian resistance in the future," Makhoul added, noting that the decades-long calm on the border could turn into a confrontation with the Syrians.

He pointed out that the Israeli plan is not limited to the Golan Heights, but includes weakening the Syrian army and attacking Iran, which may be complex and difficult to implement.

Makhoul stressed that Israel is waiting for Donald Trump to return to the US presidency to support these plans, but he warned that Trump will not have the "magic wand" to subjugate the region in Israel's favor.

Clear messages that Israel will not give up the Golan

For his part, political analyst Dr. Amjad Shehab said: Israel relies on a policy of testing the waters and imposing new facts on the ground, exploiting these facts as a negotiating card to achieve additional goals within its occupation program.

He pointed out that one of the most prominent indications of this trend is sending clear messages that Israel will not give up the Golan Heights, which it officially annexed in 1981, and received recognition of this annexation from the administration of former US President Donald Trump.

He explained that the meeting, which took on a military and security character, indicates Israel's intention to occupy the buffer zone, parts of western Daraa and Quneitra Governorate, under the pretext of preserving its national security and confronting Hezbollah and extremist Islamic movements.

Shehab explained that under these pretexts, Israel seeks to remain in these areas due to their strategic and military importance, until security arrangements are reached with the new Syrian leadership.

He pointed out that the newly occupied areas are being used as an additional pressure card to blackmail the future Syrian government, with the aim of achieving additional gains that may include strengthening its control over the Golan Heights, which was occupied in 1967.

He added: The withdrawal of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu from the disengagement agreement signed with the Syrian government in 1973 confirms that Israel is seeking to use the lack of understandings as a pretext to guarantee its control over more territory, while sending messages aimed at weakening the new Syrian leadership.

Spreading chaos in the regional political arena

He considered that these measures constitute a clear violation of international law, which Israel does not pay any attention to, as it seeks to spread chaos in the regional political arena to justify its military presence as a legitimate defensive measure.

"In a move that confirms these motives, a decision was issued during the meeting to increase the number of settlers in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights, with an additional budget allocated to expand the settlements. This came despite Arab, Islamic and international condemnations of these measures, which constitute an infringement on Palestinian and Arab rights, and a flagrant violation of international norms and laws," Shehab said.

Shehab concluded by saying: “These measures aim to achieve long-term strategic and political goals, under the cover of flimsy justifications and pretexts, such as establishing a safe zone or waiting for political stability to be achieved in Syria.”