The announced aim of the Israeli government in attacking military targets in Damascus on May 5 was to prevent Hezbollah from gaining access to military equipment that might lead to a “game change” resulting in a loss in position for Israel. Perhaps the attack can be considered a limited military victory for Israel, but one cannot ignore the consequences of it in altering the political, strategic and military balance negatively against it.
In regard to the Syrian crisis, Israel has publicly set out its red line, consisting of two elements: transfers of rockets or ballistic missiles that could weaken its position and transfers of chemical weapons from Syria to Hezbollah. The crossing of Israel's red line was the basis for the attack on the military research center in northwest Damascus. Israeli leaders believed the facility housed advanced missiles with the ability to hit Tel Aviv and that they were ready to be transferred to Hezbollah. The strike was presumably carried out to prevent a shift in power that would be negative for Israel.
