Removal of a defensive minefield is a common precursor to an attack. 30 tanks would be a battalion sized unit under the old Soviet / warsaw pact design. However, what you and others have pointed out, the armor Syria possesses is in no way capable of going toe to toe with the Merkava. Since Syria lacks a serious airforce, Syria armor would also have to do it without air cover. It would be like shooting fish in a barrel. Syria would be crazy to try to mix it up with Israel at this time. However, August 22 is coming soon, a potential day for crazies.
However, there have been some losses of the Merkava tanks due to some more advanced anti-armor man packed antiarmor munitions. What if they launch a combined arms offensive with those antiarmor rockets as the vanguard and put themselves into hidden covering "over watch" positions. They could shoot-n-scoot before effective counterbattery or air assets could target their positions. Might that not even the odds a bit? STILL...why only in battalion strength? What possibly could the initial objectives be?