Ever since the Syrian regime collapsed at the hands of rebel forces, Israel has been working to destroy as much as possible of the old Syrian Army's weapons - including, reportedly, chemical weapons - in order to deny them to anyone who might be a threat to Israel.
The IDF launched a series of very intense air strikes in Syria to destroy all tanks, bases, and weapons storage areas throughout the country after they were abandoned by Bashar Assad's Syrian Army forces to that end.
The IDF has also deployed along the Syrian side of the northern border, outside the buffer zone, to occupy and disarm areas adjacent to the border, including former Syrian Army outposts and the local population in the area.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar have all said that Israel intends to remain in these areas until the situation in Syria "stabilizes" and possibly beyond, in order to properly protect Israel from any threats emanating from there.