Israeli airstrikes targeted military infrastructure east of al-Kiswah last night, aiming to sever roads and access points to a military base and an adjacent hilltop. The strikes occurred in the vicinity of al-Kiswah, a town located southeast of Damascus, according to reports. The operation focused on "closing off the area," as stated by one report, indicating a strategic objective beyond immediate damage. The specific base targeted is located east of al-Kiswah, with its coordinates provided as 33.340025, 36.277994. Historical context from October 1967 cites former Defense Minister Moshe Dayan stating the necessity of holding the Golan Heights due to Syrian artillery threats. More recently, in August 2025, Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized the importance of holding Mount Hermon and the 1974 Buffer Zone for the protection of Golan Heights settlements, suggesting a continuing strategic focus on the region. These recent actions and past statements highlight a long-standing Israeli security doctrine concerning the Golan Heights and surrounding areas, emphasizing control over strategic terrain for defensive purposes.
