In a weekend interview, Amos Gilad, head of the Defense Ministry's political-security department, said that Syria was building its forces, but was unlikely to attack Israel during the coming months. Gilad made the comments on Israel Radio.
Israeli defense officials are split over the possibility of war with Syria. Several weeks ago, IDF Chief of Intelligence told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Syria was massing its troops at the northern border in preparation for a major attack on Israel.
Regardless of its intentions, Gilad said that Syria is still the main route for Iranian arms transfers to Hizbullah terrorists. "Syria ... is allowing the Iranians, and is itself arming Hezbollah in a massive fashion, and is putting it on its feet," Gilad said, comparing Syria's actions to “someone throwing flammable material and a lit match into a gas station.”
Israeli defense officials are split over the possibility of war with Syria. Several weeks ago, IDF Chief of Intelligence told the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that Syria was massing its troops at the northern border in preparation for a major attack on Israel.
Regardless of its intentions, Gilad said that Syria is still the main route for Iranian arms transfers to Hizbullah terrorists. "Syria ... is allowing the Iranians, and is itself arming Hezbollah in a massive fashion, and is putting it on its feet," Gilad said, comparing Syria's actions to “someone throwing flammable material and a lit match into a gas station.”