Tensions are escalating in the Golan Heights, a strategic region on the Syrian-Israeli border, as Israel deploys troops and infrastructure to bolster its presence amid a power vacuum in Syria. The move has raised concerns among locals, who fear that Israel is trying to shape the new Syria by seizing control of the area.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reaffirmed plans to double the population of Israeli settlers in the Golan Heights, committing $17.4 million to the cause. The goal is to build 33 settlements across the region, including a major construction boom at one settlement currently home to about 220 people.
Locals fear that Israel’s push into Syrian territory will lead to increased militarization and a loss of autonomy for the Druze community, which has traditionally governed the Golan Heights. “This is typical colonialism, to control others’ lands and to keep controlling others’ lands,” said Salman Fakhreddin, a local activist who has been agitating against Israeli occupation.
Israel’s Deputy Governor of the Golan Regional Council, Yaakov Selevan, downplayed concerns, saying that the IDF’s push into Syrian territory was not about settling on more land. “We’re very happy the Israeli army did this move,” he said. “We understand it’s active defence, there’s no intent, we don’t intend to have more communities enter the side of the border.”
The Golan Heights is a strategic region that offers a crucial vantage point over northern Israel and the Syrian capital of Damascus. The high elevation also makes it an ideal location for monitoring neighboring movements.
As the situation in Syria continues to unfold, Israel’s deployment of troops in the Golan Heights has raised concerns among regional players. The international community is watching with bated breath, hoping that a peaceful resolution can be reached in the region.
The Israeli government claims that its actions are aimed at bolstering the security and stability of the region, but critics argue that it is attempting to exploit the power vacuum in Syria for its own interests. The fate of the Golan Heights remains uncertain, and the future of the region hangs in the balance.
Source: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-12-24/golan-heights-syria-israel-the-shouting-fence/104757580