The Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it had carried out airstrikes on two military bases in central Syria, marking another round of strikes despite warnings from the European Union regarding the risk of further escalation.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that it targeted military capabilities at the Tadmur and T4 bases, located near Palmyra and approximately 50 kilometers west of the city. "The IDF will continue to act in order to remove any threat posed to the citizens of the State of Israel," the military added in a statement. This follows a similar strike on the same bases on Friday.
On Monday, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell expressed concern over the ongoing Israeli airstrikes, warning that such actions in Syria and Lebanon could lead to greater instability. During a visit to Jerusalem, Borrell emphasized that military actions should be "proportionate" and stated that the Israeli strikes risked escalating tensions. "Military actions must be proportionate, and Israeli strikes into Syria and Lebanon risk further escalation," he said at a joint news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, reports AFP.
Borrell also pointed out that Syria is not currently attacking Israel, which he believes makes the strikes unnecessary and could fuel radicalization that would be detrimental to Israel’s security. Israel has repeatedly targeted military sites in Syria since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, aiming to prevent weapons from falling into the hands of groups it considers hostile or jihadist.
Despite a ceasefire in the region, Israel has also continued to strike southern Lebanon in retaliation for rocket fire, which hit its territory for the first time since the ceasefire took effect in November. On Saturday, Israeli airstrikes on southern Lebanon killed eight people. No group has claimed responsibility for the rocket fire.
Israel has also deployed forces to the UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has called for the demilitarization of southern Syria. Meanwhile, Syria's foreign ministry has accused Israel of waging a campaign that threatens the stability of the country.
The EU has reiterated the need for a stable Syria, with Borrell acknowledging that while the new leaders in Syria may say the right things, it remains uncertain whether they will act accordingly.
