The Israeli air force targeted over the weekend an Iranian weapons cache that was located near the Syrian International Airport in Damascus. According to verified reports, the attack took place a little after 11:15 PM on Friday, when Israeli fighter-jets managed to penetrate Syria’s Aerial Defense Systems and destroyed a warehouse that – according to local sources: caused additional explosions in the aftermath. While Syria’s state television claimed that the Syrian air defenses managed to shoot down most of the incoming missiles, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed yesterday – during a tour of Israel’s northern frontier – that the operation was a success and clearly reflected Jerusalem’s consistent policy, “to prevent Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria.” “In the past 48 hours, Israel attacked an Iranian weapons warehouse at the international airport in Damascus. This reflects our consistent policy and strong determination to prevent Iran from entrenching itself militarily in Syria. If necessary, we will step up these attacks,” Netanyahu said.
Alongside Israel’s operation against Iran in Syria, the Prime Minister revealed that the IDF had identified yet another cross-border attack-tunnel that was located on the border with Lebanon, which was dug by the Islamic Republic’s Lebanese proxy, Hezbollah. “The IDF has exposed a sixth tunnel – the largest of all – that crossed into Israeli territory. This brings Operation Northern Shield to a successful close. We will continue to monitor all activity by Hezbollah, and by Iran and its proxies. We will do whatever is necessary to ensure the security of Israel,” Netanyahu said.
Several hours after touring Israel’s northern frontier, Prime Minister Netanyahu addressed a special farewell ceremony for outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Gadi Eisenkot, who is scheduled to conclude his term as Israel’s top military officer, tomorrow. Netanyahu praised the outgoing Lieutenant General for his dedicated service, and listed among others: Israel’s past accomplishments and upcoming challenges. “Over the past four years, we have been following a systematic policy. To defend the country, to empower the IDF and to prepare it for victory in war. The biggest threat to our security comes form the Ayatollah regime in Iran that engraved on its flag our destruction. For this purpose, it pursues developing a nuclear, precision guided, and cyber weaponry. For this purpose, it (Iran) built a front-base in Lebanon and now it seeks to build another front-base in Syria – and this time by means of Iran’s military,” Netanyahu said.
As part of Israel’s efforts to confront the Islamic Republic of Iran, Netanyahu listed four points of focus, which include the thwarting of Tehran’s nuclear aspirations by means of international pressure, the prevention of the Islamic Republic’s military entrenchment in Syria, foiling the transfer of precision guided missiles to the Iranian-proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the location and destruction of cross-border-attack-tunnels that were dug separately by Hezbollah and Hamas on Israel’s northern and southern frontiers. Furthermore, Netanyahu stressed the importance of nurturing Israel’s qualitative edge in the Middle East, which subsequently provides Jerusalem with the necessary conditions to assure the survival of the Jewish State and presents opportunities for peace with Israel’s neighbors. “I stress that ongoing nurturing of our strength is a necessary condition to our survival. It is also a necessary condition to achieve peace with our neighbors. Israel must be strong enough to deter and repel enemies that threaten us. If we will be determined to defend our country with all of our strength, we might not partake in an all-out war. And if an all-out war will be (forced) upon us, the IDF will meet the challenge, the citizens of Israel will meet the challenge, and together, together we will insure the eternity of Israel,” PM Netanyahu said.