Oded Eilam, former head of the Mossad’s Counterterrorism Department, expressed in an article written for the Israeli press that Israel fears Turkey’s military capacity and is afraid to engage in conflict in Syria. According to Eilam, Israel is deterred from entering a clash in Syria due to Turkey’s military capabilities. He claimed in his article published in Israel Hayom that Israel and Turkey are heading towards conflict in Syria. Eilam mentioned the rapid onset of the post-Baath regime era in Syria and stated that Israel, which committed massacres in the Gaza Strip while occupying parts of Lebanon and Syria, is facing a “very problematic strategic reality,” leading to a shift in focus and a fear of conflict. Pointing out that up to now Tel Aviv has been focused on Iran, Eilam noted the emergence of a new player – Turkey, which possesses the second-strongest army in NATO with intelligence and air capabilities superior to Iran’s. “THE QUESTION IS WHEN” Recalling the recent Israeli airstrikes in certain areas of Syria, Eilam expressed the great concern in Israel about Turkey’s alleged plans to establish military bases in Syria and the close presence of the Turkish Armed Forces near the country’s northern border. Eilam argued that Israel needs to adopt radical tactical changes to prevent Turkey from deploying a defense system in Syria, asserting that the most worrying scenario for Israel is the possibility of Turkey deploying an F-16 fleet with HISAR and S-400 air defense systems in Syria, which would trigger a response from Israel. Beyond military concerns, Eilan suggested that Israel and Turkey facing each other directly is no longer just a theoretical scenario. He emphasized that the question is not whether conflict will occur, but rather when it will take place. Eilam highlighted Turkey’s military significance for countries like Azerbaijan, Qatar, and Libya, stating that Turkey is no longer a guest in Syria but a host. “ISRAEL SHOULD ASK FOR HELP FROM THE US” Drawing attention to the US’s silence on Turkey’s effectiveness, Eilam argued that Israel should seek help from the US to stop Turkey, stating: “Only a superpower like the US can disrupt the balance. Uncle Sam, who can build bridges, mediate, and alleviate tensions single-handedly, is not getting involved in any way. Israel should call on Washington to roll up its sleeves and intervene immediately.”