The Israeli military announced Wednesday that it has uncovered a network operated by the Lebanese Hezbollah party across the ceasefire line in the Syrian Golan Heights.
In a statement, it said the network, which Hezbollah runs together with Iran's Revolutionary Guard, is stockpiling weapons, collecting intelligence and recruiting locals for attacks against Israel.
It quoted Brigadier General Amit Fisher as warning the Lebanese group that Israel will "not allow any attempt by Hezbollah to entrench itself near the border."
It said Israeli forces "will act with all our might to force this terrorist organization out" — signaling possible new actions by the Israeli military inside Syria.
The military said Hezbollah operative Ali Musa Daqduq is the network's commander, claiming it operates independently of the authority of Bashar Assad’s Syrian regime.
"We are not going to allow Hezbollah to establish a terror infrastructure on the Golan capable of striking Israeli civilians," said Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, Israeli military spokesman.
"We hold the Syrian regime responsible for anything that happens inside Syria aimed at Israel."
The army said the unit was in the establishment and recruitment stage and was not yet operational.
With the regime regaining control of southern Syria with the help of Russia and Hezbollah backer Iran, Israel is concerned that a front against it could be established there. Hezbollah has also been supporting Assad in the war.
