Bidirectional infiltration rattles Golan as forces of the new Syrian regime slaughter and humiliate dozens of Druze civilians. Israel pounds Iranian targets near Damascus and raises alert levels in Judea and Samaria, fearing general escalation pushed by Tehran.

Israel’s northern frontier plunged into crisis overnight as hundreds of Druze tribesmen crossed the Israel-Syria border in both directions in what officials are calling the most chaotic infiltration attempt since the Swords of Iron War began. While some fled for their lives from the brutal onslaught of the Assad regime, others reportedly engaged in armed exchanges with Syrian troops or aided militias moving toward the border.

The highly unusual bidirectional breach took place near Majdal Shams, where IDF soldiers spotted multiple groups advancing toward and retreating from the security barrier. IDF troops opened fire on several individuals attempting to cross, detaining a number and repelling others. Unmanned aerial vehicles hovered overhead throughout the night, tracking movements and coordinating response teams.

An IDF spokesperson said, “The border with Syria remains closed. We will not allow infiltration of any kind—but we are closely monitoring the humanitarian crisis unfolding across the line.”

That crisis reached new depths in southern Syria this week, as forces loyal to Bashar al-Assad launched a bloody crackdown on the Druze population in Suwayda province. Video footage and eyewitness accounts described artillery shelling of residential areas, executions, and mass arrests of young Druze men accused of aiding anti-regime protests. Israel believes at least 38 civilians have been killed in the past 72 hours by Syrian troops and affiliated militias, some of them with links to Iran’s Quds Force and Hezbollah.

In response to both the massacre and increasing Iranian entrenchment, the Israeli Air Force launched an aggressive wave of airstrikes targeting Damascus and its southern outskirts. The strikes hit multiple IRGC and Hezbollah weapons depots, logistical hubs, and command centers. Explosions rocked the Sayyida Zeinab district—a stronghold for Iranian-backed militias—along with targets near the Damascus International Airport.

At least 11 fighters, many of them non-Syrian nationals, were reportedly killed in the IAF strikes. According to military sources, several of the targets were connected to efforts to smuggle advanced munitions and precision-guided weaponry into Syria for Hezbollah’s use in future conflict with Israel.

Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the situation Tuesday morning, declaring, “We will not stand by while Iran builds a terror front from within Syria. The barbaric slaughter of Druze civilians only deepens our resolve.” He added that Israel is enforcing its red lines and will not permit Iranian proxy forces to operate near the Golan Heights.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet in Tel Aviv shortly after the strikes. Emerging from the meeting, he warned, “Iran and Assad are playing with fire. We will act forcefully to protect Israeli sovereignty and prevent the butchery of our neighbors across the border. The IDF is prepared for every scenario.”

Israeli officials believe the border chaos was not centrally coordinated but rather reflected a desperate and confused civilian response to the Assad regime’s violent assault. However, intelligence sources note that Iranian and Hezbollah operatives have long sought to exploit southern Syria’s instability to establish forward operating bases near Israeli territory.

Within Israel, Druze towns such as Daliyat al-Karmel and Beit Jann erupted in protest over the massacres, calling on the Israeli government to offer humanitarian aid or limited safe haven to vulnerable Druze families—while recognizing the extreme danger of any open-border policy amid war.

Retired Brigadier General Amir Avivi noted in a Tuesday interview: “This is a war of identities as well as interests. Iran is trying to swallow Syria whole, and the Druze—who have been historically resistant to both Sunni and Shiite dominance—are now being crushed. Israel must protect its own border while standing firm in moral clarity.”

The IDF Northern Command remains on high alert. Additional Golani Brigade units have been deployed to the Golan, and Iron Dome batteries repositioned to anticipate potential rocket fire from Iranian proxies operating in Syria and Lebanon.

What began as a local uprising in Suwayda has now become a multi-theater escalation: an ethnic atrocity, a refugee crisis, and a military confrontation wrapped into one. With Israel drawing red lines and Iran continuing to test them, the next 48 hours may determine whether this volatile standoff evolves into a broader regional conflict—or is contained with force and deterrence.