The United Nations has confirmed that Israel has occupied parts of the Golan Heights buffer zone, which has sparked concerns among Syrian officials and international observers. The buffer zone, established in 1974 to separate Israeli and Syrian forces, has been the subject of recent tensions.
According to UN peacekeeping operations, at least 10 locations are currently occupied by Israeli forces within the buffer zone. This is despite calls from the UN for Israel to respect the ceasefire agreement, which prohibits both sides from having a military presence in the area. The IDF has maintained that its actions are necessary to prevent Syrian armed groups from threatening Israeli territory.
However, Syria’s main rebel leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, has expressed opposition to Israel’s occupation, stating that it is an “illegitimate” move that creates tension with Syria. Meanwhile, a US-based political analyst, Rime Allaf, notes that many Syrians do not see Israel’s actions as justified, with some viewing them as an attempt to expand territory.
The buffer zone, which spans 75 kilometers along the Syrian-Jordanian border, is home to several Syrian towns and villages. The UN has expressed concerns over the IDF’s restrictions on its freedom of movement within the zone.
In recent weeks, tensions have escalated following the fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad from power. US officials have changed their language regarding Israeli activities in the buffer zone, defending the Israeli presence as consistent with Israel’s right to self-defense and important for its security.
Source: https://www.voanews.com/a/new-details-emerge-on-israel-s-actions-in-syrian-buffer-zone-change-in-us-position/7906679.html