Chicago – January 22, 2025
As Syria was beginning to celebrate the end of its long-standing dictatorship, a new conflict arose. Damascus’s capital city was shaken by an explosion late at night. Israeli ground forces entered Syrian land.
UN Special Envoy Criticizes Israel’s Actions in Golan Heights
The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has condemned Israel’s recent occupation of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, labeling it a violation of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria.
The Israeli military’s advance into the buffer zone was directed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz over the weekend.
Israel has controlled the Golan Heights since the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it in a move not internationally recognized. The 1974 agreement aimed to establish a demilitarized zone and border within the buffer zone, a pact now challenged by these recent actions.
Israel Katz, the Defense Minister of Israel, announced that his orders were to create a “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria. This meant Israeli forces were taking over an area that was supposed to be a neutral zone, watched over by the United Nations since 1974.
Global Concern Over Israel’s Actions
The advancement of Israeli troops into Syria has raised significant international concern, especially during a delicate time as Syria transitions from over five decades of authoritarian rule. Various Arab nations and other global powers have voiced their condemnation.
Qatar labeled the incursion a “flagrant violation of international law,” leading to increased violence and tension in the region.
Saudi Arabia and Turkey also criticized Israel’s actions, accusing it of exploiting Syria’s vulnerable state for territorial gains and continuing its history of violating international norms.
Human Rights Observers Report
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported seeing Israeli tanks moving into areas close to Damascus. Meanwhile, Israel stated that its troops were in the neutral zone to protect its borders. However, many critics see Israel’s actions as adding more trouble to an already tense situation in the Middle East.
