IDF Builds New Border Defense on Syrian Front

At the tense edge of Israel’s northeastern frontier, a powerful new barrier is taking shape dug deep into the rocky terrain of the Golan Heights and overseen by a determined IDF officer with deep roots in Israel’s security establishment. Major J., a proud Israeli-Druze commander from the town of Ma’jar, has been at the heart of Israel’s strategic engineering push along the Syrian border since August 2024.

With a family legacy of national service his father a senior officer in the Israel Prisons Service, his brothers serving in the IDF and Jerusalem police Maj. J. embodies the unity and dedication that define Israel’s diverse and patriotic citizenry. Under his leadership, the Combat Engineering Corps has constructed a sophisticated network of trenches, tank positions, and surveillance systems aimed at thwarting hostile infiltrations and fortifying Israel’s sovereignty.

“This barrier sits exactly on the fault line,” Maj. J. explained, referring to areas of disputed terrain along the frontier. “We didn’t want certain unknown actors there. We acted aggressively, but always responsibly and in coordination with international agreements.” With tanks and heavy equipment operating within the demilitarized zone, Israel has made clear that security on its borders is non-negotiable.

The defense system expected to be completed by the end of 2025 or early 2026 features deep trenches reinforced with boulders and monitored with advanced electronic sensors. The intent isn’t to create an impenetrable wall but to slow down and expose any enemy movement. “The goal is to make the enemy think twice. If they need engineering vehicles to cross, we’ll see them coming. That gives us time to respond.”

These defenses are part of a larger IDF effort to prevent the transfer of strategic weapons into the hands of hostile forces in Syria. Even after the collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024, the situation remains volatile. “We continue to attack infrastructure and convoys,” Maj. J. said. “But identifying who’s who remains a constant challenge.”

His engineering prowess has also been tested in Gaza, where he fought through nine months of intense urban warfare following Hamas’s October 7 massacre. From Beit Hanun to Rafah, and alongside heroes like the late Colonel Ehsan Daxa, Maj. J. played a key role in breaking through fortified terror zones, uncovering tunnel networks including one linked to Hamas commander Mohammed Sinwar and securing the Philadelphi Corridor against cross-border threats.

“This has been the most intense year of my career,” he admitted. “Gaza was difficult, but we achieved a lot. There’s a deep sense of fulfillment in knowing we protected the country.”

Maj. J.’s service also stretches back to 2019, when he helped destroy Hezbollah’s cross-border tunnels from Lebanon in a landmark operation that demonstrated Israel’s engineering precision and tactical innovation.

Today, on the Golan front, his mission continues. “We are still building, still preparing. The threats are real, but so is our resolve.” With officers like Maj. J. at the helm, Israel’s front lines remain not just protected but powerfully prepared.

Share this story and stay informed by subscribing to our newsletter for more stories of courage and defense from the heart of Israel.