Is Israel Preparing A Bufferzone On The Syrian Side Of The Golan Heights?

A United Nations observation tower overlooking Syria is seen near the Kuneitra border crossing between Israel and Syria, on the Golan Heights May 8, 2013. Photo by Reuters

Israel Maintaining Intense Intelligence Activity In Syria And Working With Local Villagers, Report Says -- Haaretz

New York Times says Israel has discounted the possibility of a buffer zone in Syria as it would be seen as incursion and spark immediate conflict with Assad's forces, but is considering a 'proxy' force in the country.

Israeli forces are "maintaining intense intelligence activity" in Syria and have "quietly" begun working with villagers there unallied to either the rebels or President Bashar Assad's regime amid increasing fears that the Syrian civil war will spill over its borders, The New York Times reported on Thursday.

"Several Israelis who follow Syria closely said Israeli security forces had already been quietly working with villagers who support neither the government nor the rebels, supplying moderate humanitarian aid and maintaining intense intelligence activity," The Times reported.

Israel has said it does not want to intervene in its northern neighbors' civil war, but has maintained that it has the right to defend itself if attacked.

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My Comment: Establishing a buffer zone or arming "friendly" Syrians on the border is not going to work .... a position that the Israelis themselves are fully aware of. But Israeli cannot stay neutral as the fighting spills over into it's territory .... and this is the dilemma that they are now faced with.