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Dear A.,
The Assad regime has fallen in Syria, ending decades of brutal dictatorship and striking another massive blow to the Iranian axis.
Overnight, rebel groups overtook the capital city of Damascus and announced the overthrow of the government after 10 days rapidly advancing across government-held cities throughout the country.
Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad
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fled the country this morning. Videos circulating online showed Syrian rebels
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entering Assad's residence in Damascus and
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storming the Iranian embassy.
"This is a historic day for the Middle East," Prime Minister Netanyahu
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said this morning near the Israeli-Syrian border. "The collapse of the Assad regime — the tyranny in Damascus — offers great opportunity, but also is fraught with significant dangers."
"This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, the main supporters of the Assad regime. This has created a chain reaction throughout the Middle East of all those who want to be free from this oppressive and tyrannical regime."
"We send a hand of peace to all those beyond our border in Syria: to the Druze, to the Kurds, to the Christians, and to the Muslims who want to live in peace with Israel," Netanyahu said. Watch his video statement below.
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The IDF has deployed troops into the buffer zone between the Israeli and Syrian borders on the Golan Heights to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens in the north. Israeli troops
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captured the Syrian side of the Mount Hermon area this afternoon.
"We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria," the military said. "The IDF will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians."
Israeli jets
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struck a chemical weapons factory belonging to the Assad regime overnight to prevent rebels from seizing the weapons. The Syrian Scientific Research Center in Damascus held Assad's chemical weapons and ballistic missile programs.
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The fall of Assad has major ramifications for the Iranian regime, which spent billions of dollars over decades propping up the regime and leveraging Syria as a central link to funnel weapons, money, and fighters to its terrorist proxies on Israel's borders.
The collapse of the regime in Syria could spark a new chain of events that impact America and Israel's security and interests. The United States must further strengthen our partnership with the Jewish state and ensure our ally has the resources and support it needs to protect itself.
More analysis on the fall of the Assad regime
Below is additional analysis on the developments in Syria and what they mean for Israel's security and the region:
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The Fall of Assad's Regime: Between Risks and Opportunities - Carmit Valensi, INSS : "While the recent developments signal instability and may lead to a prolonged period of chaos and violence in Syria, posing a security challenge for Israel, the current situation could also serve Israel’s interests. It could push back Iranian influence in Syria and prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its capabilities in Lebanon. In other words, Assad’s fall could sever Syria from the Axis of Resistance, further undermining its status and functionality."
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The Fall of the Assad Regime—A Dramatic Blow to Iran’s Axis of Resistance - Danny Citrinowicz, INSS : "The biggest question mark concerns Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran could theoretically enrich uranium to a military-grade level of 90% “as early as tomorrow” and attempt to build a nuclear facility within a few months. This could theoretically “compensate” for the damage to the axis and significantly strengthen Iran’s deterrence."
IDF seizes more Hezbollah weapons in southern Lebanon
As Israel works to maintain its security along the Syrian border, IDF troops continue to operate in southern Lebanon to enforce the ceasefire agreement and prevent Hezbollah from rearming.
Today the IDF located and dismantled Hezbollah storage facilities in southern Lebanon containing hundreds of anti-tank rockets, mortars, grenades, and a rocket launcher, along with several tunnel shafts.
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Click here to watch a video of what the IDF seized in southern Lebanon.
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) advances in Congress with major pro-Israel provisions
Last night, key committees in the House and Senate released the text of the National Defense Authorization Act, the major defense bill Congress takes up each year to set the defense budget and allocate vital funding for U.S.-Israel defense programs.
This year's bill contains major pro-Israel provisions that we've lobbied for together to ensure Israel has the resources it needs to protect its families and maintain its qualitative military edge.
The bill authorizes:
- $500 million for U.S.-Israel missile defense programs including Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Arrow
- $80 million for U.S.-Israel anti-tunnel cooperation, an increase of $30 million from last year
- $47.5 million for U.S.-Israel cooperation on emerging defense technologies
- Numerous cooperative programs to counter the threat of terror tunnels, facilitate joint military exercises between the U.S. and Israel, improve counter-drone cooperation, and counter Iran-backed terror groups across the region.
- New legislation to improve cooperation on space and satellite capabilities with Israel and other Middle East partners
A key House committee is expected to vote on the bill tomorrow, which would enable a broader vote in the House later this week. Should the bill pass the House, it would then be taken up by the Senate (likely the week after).
I will keep you updated as this critical legislation moves forward in Congress.
Hamas releases propaganda video of hostage Matan Zangauker
Hamas
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released another propaganda video over the weekend showing signs of life from 25-year-old hostage Matan Zangauker.
The three-and-a-half-minute video is not dated but shows Zangauker describing being held for 420 days in captivity.
Zangauker was abducted by Hamas terrorists from his home in Kibbutz Nir Oz on October 7. His partner, Ilana Gritzewsky, was taken hostage with him and released last November.
100 hostages are being held hostage by Hamas for a 429th day. America must increase the pressure on Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar to use their leverage over Hamas and pressure the terror group to accept the Israeli proposal on the table and free the hostages.
Continue to
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follow AIPAC on social media for the latest updates.
Sincerely,
Cory Meyer
Director of Communications
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Support our work to keep Israel safe.
The mission of AIPAC is to encourage and persuade the U.S. government to enact specific policies that create a strong, enduring and mutually beneficial relationship with our ally Israel.
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