Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced that Israeli troops will occupy a recently seized buffer zone in Syria for the foreseeable future. The statement was made while Netanyahu was touring Mount Hermon, a strategic location that has been significant for Israel’s security.
The buffer zone is part of a demilitarized area between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The occupation of this zone was ordered by the IDF after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria earlier this month.
Netanyahu cited security concerns as the reason for maintaining the troops’ presence in the region. However, he did not provide a specific timeline for when the troops might be withdrawn.
The announcement comes amid efforts to reach a ceasefire deal with Hamas in Gaza. The talks have been ongoing, but progress has been slow. The Biden administration’s involvement has helped narrow down key issues, including the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
However, concerns remain about the potential stability of any agreement, particularly if the United States changes leadership under Donald Trump’s swearing-in on January 20th. Hamas is reportedly concerned that an agreement might not survive this transition.
Despite the challenges, some Arab media organizations suggest that significant progress has been made in the negotiations, and most points of contention have been overcome. However, a long-term solution remains elusive.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/18/netanyahu-israel-occupy-syria-buffer-zone-mount-hermon-foreseeable-future