Recent attacks on Israel have primarily been attributed to Yemeni Houthis, resulting in a relative calm on the northern front.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) maintain heightened readiness, closely monitoring threats and responding decisively when necessary. During a visit to the Syrian border, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stressed the critical role of IDF operations in safeguarding Israeli settlements and preventing hostile forces from gaining a foothold near the border.
On Thursday night, reports emerged of alleged Israeli airstrikes targeting advanced weapons facilities near Aleppo in northern Syria. The strikes reportedly destroyed a weapons factory previously operated by the Syrian military and a facility belonging to the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (CERS).
CERS has long been linked to the development of precision-guided missiles and chemical weapons and has recently been partially controlled by Iranian IRGC operatives and Hezbollah personnel. While the IDF has not commented on the reports, these strikes are believed to be part of a broader effort to systematically dismantle advanced weapon production sites across Syria.
Eyewitness accounts described the strikes as exceptionally powerful, with explosions shaking the ground and illuminating the night sky. One local resident reported multiple strikes on defense factories, marking one of the strongest bombardments in recent memory.
The IDF confirmed operations targeting Hezbollah’s medium-range rocket launchers in southern Lebanon. These strikes followed a formal request to the Lebanese army to neutralize the launchers, which posed a significant threat to Israeli forces and civilians. After receiving no response, the IDF acted to eliminate the threat, emphasizing that these actions were conducted per ceasefire agreements and were necessary to ensure Israel’s security.
As the IDF continues its gradual withdrawal from southern Lebanon, troops along the Golan Heights are preparing for extended deployments during the winter. These positions, established after the fall of the Assad regime created a power vacuum in southern Syria, remain critical for maintaining stability and security in the region.
During his visit, Sa’ar met with soldiers from the Paratrooper Brigade and visited the UNDOF headquarters, which oversees the demilitarized zone established by the 1974 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria. Sa’ar praised the IDF’s efforts to secure the border and prevent hostile elements from gaining ground in the volatile region.