Unnamed Israeli official hints at new strikes, warning Syria not to hit back

[mota bhai 2,675]

“Israel is determined to continue to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah,” the Israeli official said. “The transfer of such weapons to Hezbollah will destabilize and endanger the entire region.”

“If Syrian President Assad reacts by attacking Israel, or tries to strike Israel through his terrorist proxies,” the official said, “he will risk forfeiting his regime, for Israel will retaliate.”

The Israeli official, who had been briefed by high-level officials on Israel’s assessment of the situation in Syria, declined to be identified.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/16/world/middleeast/israeli-official-signals-possibility-of-more-syria-strikes.html?_r=0

Edited May 16, 2013 by amriki bhai

[I AM NOT THAT GUY 5,715]

Israel is looking for more real estate, obviously.

[mota bhai 2,675]

Israel is looking for more real estate, obviously.

Maybe they watch too much Glenn Beck over in Tel Aviv. Are they looking for more gold, too?

[Pooky 3,847]

Israel is looking for more real estate, obviously.

Israel currently occupies the Golan Heights and I suspect that's enough of Syria for them.

As has been shown in recent weeks, the Israelis will take action to prevent Hezbollah taking delivery of more capable weaponry from the Syrian military. The main reason is to prevent a resumption of active hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah. Because if Hezbollah gets hold of, say, an S-300 SAM system and successfully shoot down an IDF asset, then the Israelis will likely be forced by internal reaction into large scale military action to eliminate the threat.

I seriously doubt Israel wants to do anything of the sort, especially right now, when the international focus is on the crisis in Syria. Conversely, the Assad regime would probably like nothing better, as an Israeli offensive against Hezbollah would be far more "newsworthy" than the wholescale slaughter ongoing in Syria.