Israel’s War to Erase Syria

On Tuesday, a decisive statement resounded from Tel Aviv. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, addressing supporters, asserted: “The conflict will persist until countless Gazans depart… and Syria is split.” His remarks, disseminated widely online, dispelled any lingering ambiguity. Israel’s military campaigns are not driven by security or terrorism. They are a bid to reshape borders, dismantle nations, and rewrite the past.

“The fighting will not end until hundreds of thousands of Gazans leave… and Syria is partitioned.”

Earlier in April, Israeli jets again pierced Syrian skies, launching a barrage of missiles at military installations and civilian districts. The assault spanned from central bases to the southern reaches, where ground troops advanced near Nawa, claiming nine lives.

Israeli authorities framed their actions as defense and preemptive strikes. Yet the underlying motive transcends strategy. Targeting Nawa represents an assault on a hub of Muslim legacy and intellectual tradition. This city birthed Imam al-Nawawi, a venerated Islamic scholar whose teachings endure from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur. His works, rooted in the tranquil pursuit of knowledge, were shaped here, far from the clamor of commerce. Bombing Nawa is an attack on a lineage of wisdom.

A Region of Enduring Legacy

Not far from Nawa, Tell al-Jabiyah stands as a testament to historical milestones. It was here that Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab paused before transferring Jerusalem’s control, linking his commanders in an ancient meeting. The soil of Houran still carries echoes of this pivotal moment, marking it as sacred ground. Its significance lies not only in faith but in the annals of time.

To the south and east, other luminaries emerged. Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, a towering jurist, was born in Izraa, Daraa. Ibn Kathir, the renowned historian of Al-Bidaya wal-Nihaya, hailed from Majdal near Bosra. Houran has long been a cradle of scholarship, its land nurturing a civilization that defied divisions of borders, sects, and empires.

By the Yarmouk River, Khalid ibn al-Walid led Muslim forces in 636 AD to a defining triumph over Byzantine rule. This victory reshaped the world’s geopolitical landscape, a testament to the region’s role in shaping history. To strike this land is to undermine not just sovereignty, but the very continuity of Arab and Islamic identity.

Intensifying the Campaign

Since the collapse of the Assad regime on 8 December 2024, Israel has intensified its operations in Syria. Hundreds of air strikes have obliterated military facilities, defense systems, and weapon stores. The stated reason is a lack of trust in the new interim government. However, the scale and timing of these assaults reveal a deeper ambition.

Just a day after Assad retreated to Moscow, Israeli leaders unveiled plans for a “secure zone” encompassing over 400 square kilometers—a territory larger than Gaza. This move, announced with resolve, marks a clear territorial claim. Israeli forces now occupy positions on Mount Hermon’s Syrian flank, openly challenging international law.

Officials initially suggested the occupation was temporary. Yet they have since abandoned that pretense. “We will remain,” declared Defense Minister Israel Katz, standing atop the mountain. “We will guarantee the southern area is demilitarized and protect the Druze community from perceived dangers.” This rhetoric, however, is undermined by history.

The Druze in Palestine, long enlisted in Israel’s military, have sacrificed for a state they once believed would grant them equality. These are the Galilee Druze, formal citizens of Israel, who answered the nation’s call—only to be seen as second-class in their own land. Israel’s claims of safeguarding minorities mask a broader strategy of erasure.