Beirut, Lebanon – Israeli military sources revealed on Tuesday that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are conducting intensified preparations along the Golan Heights amid growing concerns over possible cross-border attacks from Syria, potentially echoing the surprise October 7, 2023, assault by Hamas from Gaza.
According to the Israeli news site Walla, a senior officer from the IDF’s Northern Command stated that the army is bracing for infiltration attempts by jihadist factions and Bedouin tribal elements possibly operating across the Syrian border.
He added that the movements could target Israeli settlements near the security fence in the Golan, raising fears that Iran-linked cells may exploit the volatile environment to launch attacks on Israeli military sites.
The officer noted that IDF efforts extend beyond the border line. A layered defence system has been established, featuring trenches, cement barriers, fencing, rocket battalions, and an eastern defensive line designed to prevent vehicular breaches. Preparations also include readiness for infiltration attempts using motorized paragliders.
The IDF conducted drills with Unit 210 in coordination with protection forces and a new rapid-response unit created during the last war, trained specifically for village invasion scenarios, the officer told Walla. IDF also have a 100-member intervention force made up of Golan residents with high-level skills and detailed knowledge of the terrain.
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The report further states that Israeli forces have carried out intelligence operations and arrests in several Syrian villages to map out armed group activities. Four surprise drills have been conducted for hundreds of protection unit members stationed in Israeli settlements. These teams are equipped with weapons, ammunition, and military gear.
On Tuesday, IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee announced that forces from Division 210, in cooperation with Unit 504 (military intelligence), conducted a nighttime security operation in southern Syria. The mission resulted in the arrest of several weapons traffickers and the seizure of various combat materials.
Adraee wrote on Facebook that the raid followed “precise intelligence indicating suspicious activities by individuals suspected of smuggling arms and weaponry near the border area.”
The army confirmed that the suspects were detained and interrogated on-site, with various weapons and munitions confiscated, though details on the quantity and type were not disclosed.
The IDF emphasized that Division 210 remains closely monitoring developments in Syria and maintains a high state of readiness for scenarios including infiltration or cross-border attacks.
Earlier this week, Israel’s public broadcaster KAN reported that Tel Aviv, in coordination with the United States, transferred humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Sweida in southern Syria. The report noted that Washington had informed the Syrian government in advance, though the exact delivery method remains unclear.
