Syria faces daily Israeli violations as Quneitra sees daily incursions
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Over three days, Israeli incursions into Syria have intensified, particularly in Quneitra, raising concerns over violations of international law and threats to civilian security.
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A boy rides his bicycle on a road blocked by Israeli army armoured vehicles in the outskirts of the town of Quneitra, Syria, Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025 (AP)
Israeli military incursions into Syrian territory have continued, with Israeli forces invading Syrian territory and setting up arbitrary checkpoints on Syrian land, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.
Over the past three days, the Quneitra countryside experienced six consecutive operations, with Israeli forces using dozens of military vehicles and tanks, setting up temporary checkpoints to inspect civilians and vehicles and examine their personal identification documents.
These incursions have placed sustained pressure on the citizens and local population, amid a suspicious governmental silence that has allowed these violations to continue unchecked and without accountability.
The Observatory asserted that these actions constitute a clear breach of international law and a direct threat to civilian security, while calling on the international community and relevant bodies to intervene immediately to put an end to these violations and protect Syrian civilians from any threats or unlawful military practices.
Israeli incursions throughout November
In detail, on November 7, an Israeli military convoy of seven vehicles advanced through the al-Sha gate toward the village of al-Rafid in the southern Quneitra countryside, with reconnaissance aircraft spotted flying over the area.
A separate Israeli force consisting of six vehicles moved through the towns of Hadr and Taranjah toward the village of Ain al-Bayda, then proceeded through Ofania and al-Hurriyah, ultimately reaching the town of al-Hamidiyah, north of Quneitra.
Another Israeli unit of four vehicles advanced along the road between the town of Khan Arnaba and the village of Ofania, establishing a temporary checkpoint to search civilians; no arrests were reported.
Four additional military vehicles advanced into the village of al-Ajraf, north of Quneitra, where they set up a temporary checkpoint to inspect cars and identity cards before withdrawing an hour later.
On November 8, an Israeli patrol advanced into the village of al-Mushairfah and moved toward al-Ajraf, establishing a temporary checkpoint to search civilians without making any arrests.
On November 9, six Israeli military vehicles advanced into the al-Hafair area toward Ofania. In a separate incident, four Israeli military vehicles established an inspection checkpoint between the villages of al-Samadaniyah al-Sharqiyah and Khan Arnaba.
'Israel' takes free reign on Syria after al-Assad's fall
Since the collapse of the old regime in December 2024, Israeli forces have repeatedly breached Syrian sovereignty by advancing into areas of Quneitra and the demilitarized zone adjacent to the occupied Golan Heights.
Reports note dozens of ground incursions and the establishment of temporary checkpoints where civilians are subject to identity checks, vehicle inspections, and arbitrary detentions.
Beyond the surface incursions, human rights organizations report systemic abuses in areas under occupation or heavy Israeli military presence.
Displacement, home demolitions, denied access to property
According to various rights groups, Israeli forces have engaged in forced displacement of Syrian villagers, demolition of homes, denial of access to property and livelihoods, as well as arbitrary detention and forced transfer of civilians into "Israel", acts that constitute war crimes under international law. These actions appear particularly pronounced in the buffer zone south of the Golan Heights, where the local population lives under sustained pressure and in a context of effective impunity.
The aerial dimension of the violations is also substantial. Since the regime’s fall, Israeli air strikes have targeted Syrian military infrastructure, arms depots, and key installations, thereby undermining the country’s defensive capability and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Syrian authorities have repeatedly condemned these attacks, calling them coordinated efforts to destabilize the region.
The UN-mandated peacekeeping force operating in the area has warned that Israeli military activity within the area of separation risks escalating tensions and endangering civilians. Despite these warnings, the violations have continued, raising concerns over the lack of international accountability and the long-term implications for regional stability.
