What does Israel not want you to know about its advance into Syria?

Time magazine article reveals that Israel is carrying out heavy airstrikes in Syria, intensifying the crisis after the fall of Assad

Israel carried out a series of heavy airstrikes in Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country, coming within 25 kilometers of the capital, a Syrian opposition war monitor said on Tuesday. Israel denied that its forces were advancing toward Damascus.

Associated Press reporters in Damascus heard heavy airstrikes overnight and into Tuesday morning in the city and its suburbs. Photographs circulating online showed destroyed missile launchers, helicopters and warplanes.

There was no immediate comment from the insurgent groups — led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS — that have seized control of Damascus.

Israel had previously seized a buffer zone of about 400 square kilometers inside Syria established after the 1973 Middle East war, a move it said was taken to prevent attacks after the fall of President Bashar Assad.

Israel has also said it is striking suspected chemical weapons and heavy weapons sites to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israeli authorities rarely acknowledge individual attacks.

Israel has a long history of seizing territory during wars with its neighbors and indefinite occupation, citing security concerns. Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed them in a move not recognized internationally except by the United States.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has closely followed the conflict since the civil war began nearly 14 years ago, said Israel has carried out more than 300 airstrikes across the country since rebels toppled Assad. over the weekend, ending his family’s half-century rule.

The Observatory and Beirut-based Mayadeen TV, which has reporters in Syria, said Israeli troops were advancing on the Syrian side of the border with Lebanon. It was not possible to independently confirm the reports.

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani, an Israeli military spokesman, said that “reports circulating in the media about the supposed advance of Israeli tanks towards Damascus are false.” He said Israeli troops are stationed inside the buffer zone to protect Israel.

The Israeli military had already said that troops would enter the buffer zone “and several other places necessary for its defense.”

Meanwhile, Israeli media reported that the air force was methodically destroying Syria’s military assets to ensure that the country’s next ruler would have to rebuild them.

The operations “have systematically destroyed all that remains of the fugitive tyrant’s army,” wrote Yossi Yehoshua, military correspondent for Israel’s largest daily, Yediot Ahronot.

“Dozens and dozens of targets, including weapons depots of various types, were hit in waves of attacks to prevent them from falling into hostile hands and posing a threat to Israel.” The air force “currently enjoys complete freedom of action,” he added.

Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s incursion, accusing it of exploiting the disorder in Syria and violating international law.

Turkey, which has been a main supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, also condemned Israel’s advance. The Turkish Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “exhibiting an occupier mentality” at a time when the possibility of peace and stability had emerged in Syria.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Monday that Israel’s incursion constitutes a violation of the 1974 withdrawal agreement and called on Israel and Syria to respect it.

Via Time