Israel’s war to erase Syria
Israel’s War to Erase Syria
In a startling statement, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared to supporters in Tel Aviv: “The fighting will not end until hundreds of thousands of Gazans depart… and Syria is divided.” His remarks, disseminated rapidly across social media, shattered any lingering illusions. Israel’s conflicts are not framed as security concerns or counterterrorism efforts—they are a calculated bid to redraw borders, fragment nations, and rewrite history.
Shortly after, Israeli aircraft resumed operations over Syrian skies in early April, unleashing waves of missiles at both military installations and civilian areas. The strikes ranged from central hubs to southern regions, where ground forces advanced near Nawa, resulting in the deaths of nine civilians. While the official narrative centers on defense and preemptive action, the deeper motive lies in an assault on collective memory.
Nawa, a town steeped in Islamic heritage, is not just a geographic point—it is a cradle of intellectual legacy. Here, Imam al-Nawawi, a revered scholar, memorized the Quran, choosing contemplation over commercial pursuits. His influence stretches from Cairo to Kuala Lumpur, a testament to the town’s enduring role in shaping faith. Bombing Nawa is thus more than destruction; it is an attack on a lineage of wisdom.
Close by, Tell al-Jabiyah stands as a site of historic significance. It was here that Caliph Omar ibn al-Khattab paused before accepting Jerusalem’s keys from Madinah. The hill, still bearing the echoes of their footsteps, is a symbol of spiritual and historical continuity in Houran. The region, home to countless scholars, has long nurtured a civilization transcending borders and empires.
Further south, the town of Izraa in Daraa was the birthplace of Ibn al-Qayyim al-Jawziyyah, a towering jurist and theologian. Majdal, near Bosra, is the ancestral home of Ibn Kathir, whose chronicle Al-Bidaya wal-Nihaya remains a cornerstone of Islamic historiography. These landmarks, along with the Yarmouk River where Khalid ibn al-Walid secured a decisive victory against the Byzantines in 636 AD, underscore Houran’s role in shaping global history.
Following the Assad regime’s collapse on 8 December 2024, Israel intensified its presence in Syria. Hundreds of air strikes have obliterated military assets, air defenses, and arms depots. The stated reason: distrust of the new transitional government. Yet the timing and scale of the attacks suggest a broader ambition. Just days after Assad’s departure, Israeli leaders unveiled plans for a “security zone” spanning 400 square kilometers—an expanse larger than the Gaza Strip.
Israeli forces now occupy strategic positions on Mount Hermon, defying international law. Initially, officials hinted at temporary control, but their recent stance is unequivocal. “We will remain,” asserted Defence Minister Israel Katz atop the mountain. “We will guarantee the southern area is demilitarized and protect the Druze community from perceived threats.” This declaration signals a shift from transient occupation to permanent settlement.
“The fighting will not end until hundreds of thousands of Gazans leave… and Syria is partitioned.”
Historical context reveals the hollow nature of this claim. The Druze in Palestine, long enlisted in the Israeli military, have fought for a state they believed would honor their equality. Yet their treatment as second-class citizens within Israel’s borders casts doubt on the sincerity of current assurances. The war, therefore, is not just about physical conquest—it is a campaign to erase identity, memory, and legacy.
