Israel Not Able to Neutralize Syria’s Chemical Weapons

Israel is becoming increasingly concerned of the threat that Syria's vast arsenal of chemical weapons might fall into the hands of Jihadist organizations. Admitting it does not have the capabilities to prevent such a scenario, Israel looks to the international community, hoping it will act to seize Syria's non-conventional weapons after President Bashar al-Assad's fall. This is partly due to the fact that almost half of the population of Israel lacks protective gear against non-conventional weaponry.

Although it is one of the largest stockpiles of chemical weapons in the world, estimated at several hundred tons, Israel never considered Syria's non-conventional arsenal a serious threat. For several decades, Israelis lived next to this immense reservoir of nerve gas without fear, knowing that neither Hafez nor Assad would dare use it against Israel, as Israeli retaliation would end their reign.