"They are testing us": The disturbing reality on the Syria border

A series of unusual incidents on the Syria border, including attempts by Syrian civilians to infiltrate IDF positions, raises concerns among forces of an organized test to gauge response times. The new commander of the Bashan Division, Brig. Gen. Sivan Bloch, faces a changing reality, while Golan local leaders warn against withdrawal from the buffer zone and demand a political commitment for the IDF to remain in the area.

A series of unusual incidents on the Syria border, including attempts by Syrian civilians to infiltrate IDF positions, has raised serious concerns among forces of an organized test to gauge the army's response times. The new commander of the Bashan Division, Brig. Gen. Sivan Bloch, finds himself tested against a reality that is hard to explain as a coincidence, just days after taking office. Recent incidents, including an infiltration attempt by a Palestinian from Damascus who was shot dead and two Syrians on a motorcycle, one of whom was wounded, join a string of similar events in recent weeks. The IDF admits that the working assumption is that "they are testing us," but no direct link between the events has yet been found. The head of the Golan Regional Council, Uri Kelnar, warns against withdrawal from the buffer zone and demands a cross-party commitment for the IDF to remain in the area, while presenting a three-phase plan that includes work with the Druze population in Syria.