Israeli forces have reportedly advanced deep into southern Syria, reaching approximately 16 miles southwest of Damascus, two regional security officials and a Syrian security source have told Reuters.
The Syrian security official disclosed that Israeli troops had reached Qatana, a town situated seven miles beyond the demilitarized zone that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syrian-controlled territory. This significant movement marks one of the deepest incursions into Syria by Israeli forces in recent history.
In addition, Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country. Israel denied its forces were advancing toward Damascus.
On Saturday, Israeli troops began operations to control a demilitarized buffer zone in Syria. This buffer zone, situated between Syria and the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights, was established by the United Nations following the 1973 Middle East war. Since then, it has been patrolled by a U.N. force comprising about 1,100 troops.
Matias Delacroix/AP
Israel Says Military Actions Are Temporary
The Israeli military described these recent actions as temporary, aimed at securing its border.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated that the military undertook “targeted and temporary control of certain areas near the border to prevent an Oct. 7 scenario from Syria,” referring to the 2023 Hamas attack from the Gaza Strip which killed 1,200 Israelis, resulted in 250 hostages being taken, and sparked the current conflict in Gaza which has killed around 44,500 residents, according to the Gazan Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and militants.
Additionally, armed individuals attacked a U.N. position near the Israeli border on Saturday. U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric reported that “armed individuals climbed the wall of a U.N. position near Hadar.” Following an exchange of fire with U.N. peacekeepers defending the position, the base was partially looted. There were no casualties.
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How Did Israel Begin Its Incursion Into Syria?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that Israeli forces were moving to control the demilitarized buffer zone of approximately 155 square miles within Syrian territory.
On Monday, Netanyahu said that Israel would occupy the summit of Mount Hermon, which is within the buffer zone on the Syria-Lebanon border, and at 9,232 feet is the highest peak in the eastern Mediterranean coast.
U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said, “The peacekeepers informed the Israeli counterparts that these actions would constitute a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement, that there should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation.”
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How Have Syria’s Neighbors Responded to the Israeli Advance?
Many in the region have condemned Israel’s recent actions in Syria. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry accused Israel of “exploiting the power vacuum … to occupy more Syrian territories and create a fait accompli in violation of international law.”
Similarly, Saudi Arabia criticized Israel’s move, stating it reflects a “determination to undermine opportunities for Syria to restore its security, stability, and territorial integrity.”
After enduring conflicts on multiple fronts in recent months, Israel now faces heightened concerns about potential spillover from Syria’s unrest into its territory. However, the collapse of Assad’s regime is also seen as an opening to disrupt Iran’s long-standing arms supply route through Syria to Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.
Israeli political and military leaders have stressed that the seizure of the buffer zone is temporary and not a prelude to entering other parts of Syrian territory.
“The plan at the moment is that this is a temporary step to make sure stability is kept in the border, making sure the buffer zone is kept, and the U.N. forces can stay,” said a military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines.
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Who Is in Charge of Syria Now?
The rebels from the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham who ousted President Bashar al-Assad and now control much of Syria are led by Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, a former senior al-Qaida militant. After 13 years of civil war, al-Jolani stunningly overthrew the Assad regime over the past few days. Having severed ties with al-Qaida several years ago, al-Jolani has promised representative government and religious tolerance in Syria.
Moscow announced on Sunday that Assad and his family had been granted political asylum in Russia for “humanitarian reasons” while Syrian territory continues to be divided by multiple armed factions, some of which are backed by foreign nations including Turkey and the United States.
On Sunday Netanyahu said Assad’s fall was “a historic day in the history of the Middle East.” He continued, “The Assad regime is a central link in Iran’s axis of evil—this regime has fallen. This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, the main supporters of the Assad regime. This has created a chain reaction throughout the Middle East of all those who want to be free from this oppressive and tyrannical regime.”
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
