New Syrian Leadership Partners with Israel to Neutralize Hezbollah Plots Against Jewish Targets

President al-Sharaa’s security forces thwart a Hezbollah assassination attempt and sabotage plots, signaling a new era of Syria-Israel cooperation.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 28, 2026, 4:54 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from FDD

The Historic Shift in Syrian Security Policy

Syria has undergone a radical transformation in its regional posture following the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Under the leadership of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new government has publicly distanced itself from its former Iranian and Hezbollah allies, explicitly calling for the total disarmament of the militant group. This policy shift represents a significant departure from decades of Syrian support for the Tehran-backed proxy and has created an unexpected convergence of interests between Damascus and Jerusalem. In a public address in March 2026, President al-Sharaa reaffirmed his commitment to Lebanese President Joseph Aoun’s mission to neutralize Hezbollah, describing the group’s military presence as an existential threat to Arab sovereignty and regional stability.

Thwarting the Quneitra Sabotage Plot

On April 19, 2026, the Syrian Interior Ministry announced the successful disruption of a sophisticated sabotage operation in the Quneitra province, located near the Golan Heights. Syrian security forces intercepted a civilian transport vehicle that had been meticulously modified to conceal rocket-launching equipment. Authorities reported that the Hezbollah-linked cell intended to launch a surprise attack under the slogan "Victory for our brothers in Lebanon and Palestine," a move designed to draw Syria back into the conflict with Israel. The seizure of these assets underscores the new administration’s determination to prevent Syrian territory from being used as a staging ground for external agendas, specifically those directed by the Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Assassination Attempt on Rabbi Michael Khoury

Security tensions reached a peak in early April 2026 when Syrian authorities foiled a plot targeting a prominent Jewish religious figure in the capital. The target, identified as Rabbi Michael Khoury, was reportedly the subject of an assassination attempt by a Hezbollah cell utilizing a female operative to plant explosives near his Damascus residence. Syrian counter-terrorism units dismantled the remote-detonated device in the Bab Touma district, an area of significant religious and historical importance. This incident has raised international concerns regarding the safety of the Jewish communal leaders who have begun visiting the country as part of the "Good Will...