Israeli military chief says Syria has stepped up security around its chemical weapons stocks

JERUSALEM — Israel’s military chief warned Tuesday that an attack on Syrian chemical weapons depots could drag Israel into a broader war, counseling restraint after top officials declared they were prepared to strike to keep those weapons out of militants’ hands.
Israel is afraid militants like Lebanon’s Hezbollah could seize Syria’s chemical weapons should the violence convulsing Syria drive the central government to collapse.

The military chief, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, told parliament’s foreign affairs and defense committee that the Syrian army has stepped up security around the country’s chemical weapons stocks.
“To the best of my judgment, at this point they remain in control of this network. They are protecting it and beefing up the security around it and it hasn’t yet reached unwelcome hands, though that could change,” he said, according to the military’s website.

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