“Israeli officials say it remains unclear how far Washington will go to help bring about Assad’s downfall. They say Syria might become a failed state if the unrest continues, with Hezbollah and Iran on one side and Al-Qaida-inspired Sunnis on the other consolidating footholds.

The consensus in the Israeli intelligence community is that Assad sooner or later will be ousted. “Assad is past the point of no return,” says a senior cabinet minister. “He won’t be able to restore his position as Syria’s undisputed leader. His victory visit to [the restive city of] Homs should be taken with a pinch of salt. Resistance is growing, even in Damascus.”

Israeli officials are also concerned about reports showing Syrian weapons falling into Hezbollah’s hands, though it is still unclear whether the Shi’ite organization has gotten hold of chemical weapons.”

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