Syria Thwarts Hezbollah Plot to Attack Israel

On Sunday, Syrian officials reported they had stopped a plan by Hezbollah, a Lebanese group backed by Iran, aimed at launching an attack on Israel from within Syria. The operation supposedly involved a truck disguised to carry a missile launcher.

The Syrian Ministry of Interior detailed that the truck was seized in Quneitra province, which sits near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Authorities had been monitoring the vehicle and its occupants for a significant period before deciding to apprehend them.

The truck was reportedly equipped with “professionally prepared and concealed” missiles and launchers intended for a surprise strike on Israel. Syrian security forces noted that the vehicle had been modified to fire 107mm rockets, a design favored by Iranian-supported Iraqi Shiite militias.

Two individuals were arrested, while a third suspect managed to escape.

The Interior Ministry indicated that this “sabotage cell” had connections to Hezbollah and elements of the former Assad regime, which was overthrown by the current government in December 2024. Their plan included launching missiles across borders, aimed at destabilizing the region.

Officials expressed concern over “multiple attempts to undermine the country’s security” by remnants of the former regime and those affiliated with Hezbollah.

Just last week, there was another reported incident involving a group tied to Hezbollah, which allegedly attempted to use a bomb to target “religious figures near the Maronite church of Bab Touma.” There were indications that Rabbi Michael Khoury might have been the intended target, although this hasn’t been confirmed by the Syrian authorities.

During their investigation, the Syrian Interior Ministry uncovered a significant stockpile of weapons and explosives linked to this cell. Five additional suspected members were arrested on the same day.

Hezbollah has consistently denied any involvement or connections with political entities in Syria, claiming it has no presence on Syrian soil. When the Syrian government accused Hezbollah of being involved in the Bab Touma incident, the organization labeled these accusations as “false and fabricated,” attributing them to unspecified intelligence agencies seeking to incite tensions between Lebanon and Syria.

Hezbollah’s influence is perceived to be waning in Damascus. After the civil conflict, the regime led by dictator Bashar al-Assad and Hezbollah fought against a coalition of opposition and jihadist forces. Since Assad’s removal, Syria has reportedly cut off Hezbollah’s drug supply routes and halted various smuggling activities.