Syria “owes” Israel for the attack it believes Israel carried out on a nuclear facility in the north of the country last September, as well as for the assassination of Hezbollah Deputy Secretary General Imad Mughniyah in a car bomb in Damascus, which it also blames on Israel. Because of this, great care is needed when dealing with Damascus, Interior Security Minister Ami Ayalon said. “Tensions on the northern border could lead to mistakes on both sides,” he said to a Beersheva audience Saturday, leading to an unintended escalation.

Ayalon also referred to Israel's security drill this week and how it might be misinterpreted by the Syrians. In order to ensure that the Syrians didn't get the wrong idea about Israel's intentions, “we must act carefully so as not to cause the Syrians to reach the wrong decisions,” he said.