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Simultaneously, Israel has ramped up its air campaign against military targets outside Damascus and in southern Syria—areas that Israel fears could become havens for Hezbollah and Iranian-backed militias. Defense Minister Israel Katz explicitly warned that Israel will not tolerate southern Syria turning into a Hezbollah stronghold akin to southern Lebanon. Israel's operations have primarily focused on dismantling Iran and Hezbollah’s military infrastructure but also reflect broader efforts to curb weapons proliferation and prevent hostile entities from establishing a foothold near its borders.