Israeli army presence in Golan buffer zone breaches 1974 deal: UN

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
9 Dec 2024 22:51
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The Israeli army announced that it increased its presence in the Golan Heights, deploying forces to key locations in the demilitarized zone.

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Israeli occupation forces stand next to armored vehicles parked in the so-called Alpha Line that separates the occupied Golan Heights from Syria in Majdal Shams on December 9, 2024. (AP)

Israeli occupation forces (IOF) moving into the buffer zone on the border of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights "violate" the 1974 disengagement agreement between "Israel" and Syria, a UN official said Monday.

The UN peacekeeping force in the Golan Heights, known as UNDOF, "informed the Israeli counterparts that these actions would constitute a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement," according to Stephane Dujarric, Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesperson.

Dujarric explained that the IOF had invaded the zone and were still there in at least three sites.

He explained the IOF "have entered the area of separation and have been moving within that area where they remain in at least three locations throughout the area of separation," adding that there should be no military or activities in that area and "Israel and Syria must continue to uphold the terms of that 1974 agreement, and preserve stability in the Golan."

In response to developments in Syria, the Israeli military announced that it increased its presence in the Golan Heights, deploying forces to key locations in the demilitarized zone.

After the occupation of Mount Hermon and other strategic locations in Syria, Israeli Security Minister Israel Katz directed the Israeli military on Sunday night to take immediate action to establish full control over the buffer zone in Syria and key control points. This came after Israeli operations continued overnight to secure additional positions.

Katz instructed the military to establish a security zone in the southern region, outside the buffer zone, free from heavy strategic weapons and the "terrorist infrastructure" that could pose a threat to "Israel".

He ordered immediate action "to prevent and thwart the resumption of the arms smuggling route from Iran to Lebanon through Syria, in the Syrian region and at border crossing points, and to continue to work to destroy heavy strategic weapons throughout Syria, including surface-to-air missiles, air defense systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range missiles, and coast-to-sea missiles."

'Israel' strikes over 150 Syrian military targets after fall of Assad

The Israeli occupation launched the most intensive raids on Syria since the October 1973 war, according to what Israeli media reported from sources in the Air Force.

Israeli media reported that the Israeli occupation's Air Force carried out attacks on more than 150 military targets in Syria on Sunday and Monday as part of efforts to dismantle the capabilities of the Syrian Army.

According to the Israeli Army Radio correspondent, the targets included tanks, planes, and military helicopters belonging to the former Syrian Arab Army.

The Israeli Channel 12 stated that "the air force is operating on a very broad scale across Syria to destroy the remnants of the Syrian Army."

The Israeli Kan channel also quoted an Israeli official saying, "Israel's goal is to destroy all Syrian Army equipment, from tanks to missiles."

On Sunday, the Israeli military occupied Syria’s Mount Hermon with Israeli occupation forces advancing several kilometers into the Syrian Golan, Israeli media reported.

The media said Israeli forces took control of the highest point in the Hermon Mountain inside Syrian territory, pointing out that this point lies within the buffer zone and is under the responsibility of the United Nations.

A UN base that oversees the Golan Heights within Syrian territory sits on the summit, according to the report.