ABSTRACT
In the course of attacking the Golan, Syria might also launch an offensive through Lebanon. This risk has been on Israel's agenda since 1976. It was on the night of May 31-June 1, 1976 that Syria first moved army units--a reinforced armored division-into Lebanon. Following Operation Peace for Galilee, in which the Israel Defense Force attacked Syrian forces in Lebanon, the Lebanese Bekaa took on greater importance. The Bekaa, which lies between Mount Lebanon in the west and Anti-Lebanon and Mount Hermon in the east, is 120 km long. According to Damascus, the Bekaa is a Syrian security zone because through it Israel could flank the well-fortified Golan front and threaten both Damascus and northern Syria, while Syria could strike at the Galilee Panhandle via the Bekaa. Israel is liable to face a number of risks from Syria through southern Lebanon, and particularly through the Bekaa, during an attack on the Golan Heights.
