Syrian Land Seized After Assad’s Fall Is ‘Vital’ For Israel, IDF Chief Says
The territory seized by the IDF in Syria following the collapse of the Assad regime is vital for Israeli security, IDF Chief of Staff LTG Eyal Zamir said Sunday (20th) during a field tour and security assessment in the area.
“The space is a vital space,” Zamir said, who was accompanied by Northern Command head MG Ori Gordin, Division 210 head BG Yair Falai, and other senior officials. “We entered here because Syria fell apart, and therefore we hold key points and are on the front lines to best protect ourselves.”
During the visit, Zamir met with commanders and soldiers operating in the field and approved plans for ongoing defensive and offensive operations.
Standing with troops stationed on a ridge, he emphasized the strategic significance of the area: “From this place we see everyone on this ridge – this is a strategic point. We don’t know how things will develop here, but our hold here has an extremely important security significance.”
IDF soldiers will continue to operate in the security space and protect the residents from any threat,” he concluded.
Zamir’s visit comes as the U.S. is expected to reduce the number of troops stationed in the country in the coming weeks.
In recent weeks, tensions between Israel and Turkey over their presence in Syria have risen. Earlier in April, Israel struck Syrian airbases in Hama, which were intended to be used as air defense sites by Turkey.
Iraqi Lawmakers Move To Block Syrian President’s Visit – Rizik Alabi
Iraq’s Parliament has requested the arrest of Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa – previously known as “Abu Mohammad al-Julani” — on allegations of terrorism and document forgery. A leaked memo shows that lawmakers sent the request to the Office of the Public Prosecutor in Baghdad. The call for legal action comes as al-Sharaa is expected to visit Iraq for the upcoming Arab League Summit, stirring political friction inside the country.
The letter, issued by Iraq’s Council of Representatives to the Public Prosecutor in Baghdad, urges an investigation and potential arrest of al-Sharaa should he enter Iraqi territory. The timing of the request, ahead of the upcoming Arab League Summit in Baghdad, reflects deep divisions within Iraq’s political establishment.
A senior diplomatic source in Baghdad said that the memorandum accuses al-Sharaa of involvement in bombings and other terrorist acts, as well as using forged documents during his earlier presence in Iraq. The document refers to him by his former alias, “Abu Mohammad al-Julani,” linked to his leadership of the jihadist group Hay’at al Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) , once known as Jabat al-Nusra.
The same source said the legal request was filed in anticipation of al-Sharaa’s possible arrival for the Arab Summit–his attendance has already sparked strong objections in Iraqi political circles.
Over 50 lawmakers have formally petitioned the Speaker of Parliament, urging the government to bar al-Sharaa from entering the country. Legislators say Iraq should not host a leader once associated with armed insurgency—especially at a high-profile diplomatic gathering.
MP Yousef al Kalabi of the Shiite Coordination Framework described the move as “a moral and national duty to honor the victims and their families,” He added, “Allowing al-Sharaa into Iraq would be a betrayal of the memory of Iraqis who suffered under terrorism, in which al-Sharaa played a role,” referencing his alleged ties to post-2003 insurgent violence.
Syrian affairs analyst Dr. Mustafa al-Nuaimi said that “such statements reflect legitimate fears among some Iraqi factions regarding the rehabilitation of figures linked to Iraq’s violent past.” He added, al-Sharaa spent significant time in Iraq over the last two decades, and multiple security reports have tied him to extremist activities–especially during the U.S. occupation and the subsequent years of sectarian conflict.”
In contrast to parliamentary resistance, Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani has welcomed al-Sharaa’s Participation and confirmed that an invitation was formally extended to Damascus.
At a recent press briefing, al-Sudani framed the move as part of Iraq’s diplomatic outreach. “Syria is a sister state, and we must not ignore its role in the evolving Arab landscape,” he said. He urged critics to “separate security-related legacies from today’s political realities,” emphasizing Iraq’s ambition to serve as a regional mediator.
The controversy surrounding al-Sharaa stems from his complex and controversial past. Once held in Iraq’s notorious Camp Bucca prison, he allegedly forged ties with senior al-Qaida figures, including future Islamic State leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. After his release, al-Sharaa returned to Syria and became the founding commander of Jabat al-Nusra.
Although Western governments – including the US–have designated HTS a terrorist organization, al-Sharaa later rebranded his public image through political maneuvering and media outreach. Following the fall of the Assad regime in 2024, al-Sharaa assumed leadership of Syria’s transitional government, drawing both regional support and international scrutiny.
The Arab League summit in Baghdad was initially promoted as a chance for Iraq to reclaim diplomatic relevance in the post-conflict Middle East. But al-Sharaa’s invitation now risks overshadowing its message of unity.
Firas al-Khalidi, a Syrian opposition leader based in Cairo, said that “al-Sharaa’s attendance – should it happen – will be a litmus test for how far Arab states are willing to go in embracing former militant leaders who transition into political roles.” He said that Arab governments will closely watch Baghdad’s handling of the issue, as it may set a precedent for reintegrating controversial figures into the regional fold.
At the core, the debate is not only about one man’s record – it’s about whether Arab governments can reconcile justice and accountability with pragmatic diplomacy. Al-Sharaa’s presence could serve as a symbol of transformation, suggesting that former fighters can evolve into statesmen. But for many Iraqis, the trauma of past violence remains unsolved.
The broader question lingers: Can the region move forward by absorbing controversial figures into new political frameworks? Or does doing so risk deepening distrust and undermining efforts at transitional justice?
As Baghdad prepares to host one of the most consequential Arab summits in recent memory, the controversy surrounding al-Sharaa reflects the unhealed wounds of the past – and the high-stakes balancing-act of post-conflict diplomacy.
Lebanese Army Foils Rocket Attack On Israel As President Doubles Down On Disarming Hezbollah
The Lebanese Army said on Sunday (20th) that, after an intense investigation and surveillance, its forces prevented rocket fire on Israel.
Troops raided an apartment in the outskirts of the coastal city of Sidon and found rocket launchers. Several people were taken into custody and the launchers were confiscated, the army said.
According to a report on Saudi broadcaster Al Arabiya, the rocket launchers were linked to Hamas operatives in southern Lebanon.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated his position on Sunday (20th) that only forces of the state should be armed. “The Lebanese people do not want war and the army must be responsible for weapons,” he said during an event marking Easter celebrations.
The president’s comments came after Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem said on Saturday (19th) that members of the terror group would not disarm as long as Israel occupied Lebanese territory.
The IDF holds on to five strategic points along the Israel-Lebanon border after its troops withdrew from southern Lebanon as part of a ceasefire agreement negotiated with U.S. and French mediation.
“We will not allow anyone to remove Hezbollah’s weapons,” Qassem said. “These weapons gave life and freedom to our people.”
Hezbollah’s Airport Arms-Smuggler Killed In Targeted IDF Strike
Israeli forces killed terrorist Hussein Ali Nasser, who served as deputy head of Hezbollah’s Unit 4400, in an intelligence-based airstrike, the IDF confirmed on Sunday (20th).
“During his role, Nasser operated to smuggle weapons and funds into the State of Lebanon in order to rebuild the Hezbollah terrorist organization’s military capabilities,” the military said.
The IDF also reported that the terrorist collaborated with Iranian operatives to facilitate the transfer of weapons and funds into Lebanon, including through the Beirut International Airport.
Nasser maintained contact with employees of the airport who secretly operate for Hezbollah and assist with the smuggling operations.
In addition, he promoted and led weapons procurement deals with smugglers along the Syria-Lebanon border.
Nasser oversaw the terrorist organization’s reinforcement and military build-up process.
The Israeli army confirmed that during the ongoing war, and as part of Operation Northern Arrows, the Israel Air Force, guided by precise intelligence, conducted “extensive strikes and targeted eliminations aimed at disrupting the 4400 unit’s ongoing activities and the weapons smuggling routes used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon.”
The commander of Unit 4400, Muhammad Ja’far Qasir, was also killed along with his deputy, Ali Hassan Gharib.
Report: Hamas Recruiting 30,000 Fighters In Gaza As It Shifts To Guerrilla Warfare
Hamas has launched a mass recruitment campaign in the Gaza Strip and shifted to guerrilla warfare as it faces heavy losses and limited resources in its war with Israel, according to a Saudi media report published Sunday (20th).
The Saudi-owned Al-Hadath network, citing unnamed sources, reported that the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’ armed wing, is recruiting as many as 30,000 new fighters. The report said the move is part of a new military strategy relying on guerrilla tactics, as most of the new recruits lack training in conventional combat. It also noted that the group has suffered substantial losses to its weapons arsenal, particularly drones and long-range rockets.
The shift comes as fighting continues to rage across the Gaza Strip, following the collapse of a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on March 18.
On Sunday, (20th), Palestinian sources reported one person was killed by Israeli artillery fire in the Al-Mawasi area northwest of Rafah, in southern Gaza. Qatar-based Al Jazeera later reported exchanges of fire between Hamas terrorists and Israeli forces in the eastern part of the Tuffah neighborhood, east of Gaza City.
Saturday evening (19th), intense Israeli strikes were reported in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza and in Khan Younis to the south. The Israeli military said troops from the Givati Brigade, working with the Yahalom elite combat engineering unit and under the command of the 143rd Division, destroyed a booby-trapped underground tunnel hundreds of meters long in Rafah’s Shaboura neighborhood. The IDF also said numerous weapons were seized and destroyed, including a tunnel shaft that contained a cache of explosives.
Despite the new recruitment campaign, Hamas is reportedly facing a severe financial crisis. According to a report published Thursday (17th) by The Wall Street Journal, the group has been unable to pay salaries to its fighters since the resumption of hostilities. The report cited a series of targeted Israeli strikes and the halting of humanitarian aid—aid that Arab, Israeli and Western sources say Hamas has regularly siphoned off and sold at a profit—as contributing factors to the group’s depleted finances.
Later Thursday (17th), Hamas rejected an Israeli proposal for a partial hostage deal. In a statement, the group said, “We will not accept partial agreements that Netanyahu and his government use as political cover to continue the war.” Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Hamas official leading the group’s negotiating team, said Hamas is prepared to immediately negotiate a comprehensive deal that would include the release of all hostages in exchange for a mutually agreed number of Palestinian prisoners.
Israel’s Most Conclusive Victory Since 1949 – Edward N. Luttwak (Tablet)
Tenacity is the most important virtue of national leaders at war, which allows them to press on with no assurance of victory, fending off tremendous political pressures, to fold. Winston Churchill displayed this quality in 1940, when Paris and Western Europe had fallen and Germany appeared unstoppable.
As Israel fought a major, multifront war in October 2023, key U.S. officials encouraged domestic uproar against Netanyahu and worked to constrain him and even collapse his government. Netanyahu had to overcome calls and protests by Israelis and American Jews, as well as all the usual suspects in European capitals and almost every other world government incessantly demanding a ceasefire, not as a pause, but as an end to the war.
It is against this backdrop that Netanyahu’s pure resolve must be understood. His tenacity was the only thing that mattered. Having withstood this unrelenting pressure over the course of a year, Netanyahu had maneuvered into a position where, in the second half of 2024, Israel was able to turn the tables and reshape the entire geopolitical picture.
The Mossad and the IDF on September 19, 2024 brilliantly wrecked Hezbollah with exploding pagers, booby-trapped field radios, and the elimination of senior Hezbollah commanders in a precision strike that left the group totally paralyzed, nullifying its vast rocket arsenal. Because he had monopolized Hezbollah’s command and control, Nasrallah’s death shut down the organization.
As a consequence of Hezbollah’s demolition, Iran’s Syrian vassal, Bashar al-Assad, found himself defenseless, having long become dependent on Hezbollah and Iranian militias for manpower. With the fall of Assad, and with the IDF in control of the Gaza-Egypt border, the Iranians lost the ability to rebuild Hezbollah and Hamas, giving Israel its most conclusive victory since 1948.
Israel’s astounding technical prowess and the fighting spirit of its military are, of course, integral to this victory. But it couldn’t have happened had Netanyahu not held out against an unfriendly American administration and an accompanying assortment of authoritative figures and institutions, as well as howling mobs in Israel and around the world that demanded a ceasefire and the Israeli prime minister in handcuffs.
The writer is a contractual strategic consultant for the U.S. government.
