Israeli army allegedly strikes chemical weapons cache in Syria - unconfirmed report

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently targeted a chemical weapons cache in Syria.

The Israeli media references "foreign reports," although no specific sources are cited, suggesting this could be a strategy to bypass Israel's military censorship, Caliber.Az reports.

Earlier this week, Haaretz highlighted concerns within the Israeli military that, amid Syrian rebel advances and their capture of military sites belonging to the Assad regime, chemical weapons could fall into the wrong hands. Should such weapons end up in the possession of rebel groups or Iranian militias, Israel may be forced to take action that could have significant repercussions for Syria and the broader Middle East.

The report also notes that Israel has conveyed messages to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad through Russia, urging him to maintain control over his territory and prevent Iranian operations within Syria.

Israeli Air Force fighter jets targeted several border crossings and land routes between Syria and Lebanon overnight on December 7, which the military claims were used to transfer weapons to Hezbollah.

The strikes hit the Arida Crossing in northern Lebanon and several routes in the al-Qusayr area. Syria’s state news agency, SANA, reported that the Arida Crossing was rendered inoperable following the bombings.

The military stated that these attacks were part of an ongoing campaign against Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, which is responsible for transporting weapons from Iran and its allies to Lebanon.

The strikes took place just over a week into a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has made it clear that it will continue to take action to prevent any weapons deliveries to the Iran-backed group, including launching strikes on shipments in both Lebanon and Syria.

Additionally, the IDF reported that troops from the 146th Division discovered and destroyed several rocket launchers aimed at Israel during operations in southern Lebanon's western sector. The army also found and neutralized mortars, rockets, ammunition crates, and assault rifles.

By Vafa Guliyeva