Israel's military entered the buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights on Sunday, in a move it said was necessary to defend its border after armed personnel it didn't identify entered the area. The United Nations is responsible for patrolling the zone. On Saturday, Israel said it intervened to help U.N. personnel after armed people attacked a U.N. position in the area of Hader, within Syria.

Israel’s military said its goal is to protect Israel’s interests and not to interfere with internal Syrian affairs. Among the forces it has deployed is the 98th commando division, previously involved in some of the fiercest fighting in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel is also concerned about the Assad regime's stockpile of chemical weapons, fearing it may fall into rebel hands. Herzi Halevi, the Israeli military's chief of staff, on Saturday warned Syrian factions to ensure "they do not mistakenly direct their actions toward us." He also said Israel's top intelligence priority is tracking Iran's movement and interests.