Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December.
By Ehud Amiton, TPS
In a nighttime operation in southern Syria, Israeli soldiers arrested a cell operated by Iran’s Quds Force, the Israel Defense Forces announced on Monday.
The operation in the Tel Qudsna area was the second such raid in a week targeting hostile elements.
On July 2, Israel arrested several Iran-linked terrorists in the southern Syrian areas of Umm al-Lux and Ain al-Batzali. The soldiers also found several weapons and grenades.
The Quds Force is the elite extraterritorial operations arm of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), responsible for conducting overseas military, intelligence, and covert operations to advance Iran’s strategic interests.
The IDF said forces from its Alexandroni Brigade remain active in the region to prevent terrorist entrenchment and safeguard Israeli civilians.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Monday for talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and other senior officials.
While a Gaza ceasefire and the return of hostages will be the primary focus, the agenda is expected to include thawing relations between Jerusalem and Damascus.
Netanyahu has called for the demilitarization of southern Syria.
In May, the Israeli army set up a field hospital to treat civilians near the Syrian village of Hader.
Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border when the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed in December.
Israel also launched waves of airstrikes on Syrian army assets and Iranian stockpiles to prevent them from falling into the hands of radical Islamists.
While Israeli forces have briefly entered the buffer zone in the past, December’s takeover marked the first time since its establishment that the IDF set up positions there.
The demilitarized zone was established with a ceasefire in 1974 that ended the Yom Kippur War.
Israel considers the 1974 ceasefire agreement void until order is restored in Syria.
