The Israeli military announced that its soldiers had killed several armed individuals in areas of southern Syria currently under Israeli control, stating that the operation was aimed at removing threats to both Israeli civilians and military personnel. Israeli officials emphasized that security operations in the region would continue as long as potential dangers remain.
Israeli forces entered the UN-established buffer zone adjacent to the occupied Golan Heights in December 2024 following dramatic political and security developments inside Syria. The move has drawn international criticism, with observers arguing that it violates the 1973 disengagement agreement that created the demilitarized area after the Arab-Israeli war.
According to United Nations assessments, Israel now occupies an additional 235 square kilometers (90 square miles) of Syrian territory beyond the areas it previously controlled. The expansion has heightened regional tensions and prompted renewed concerns over sovereignty, international law, and the risk of further military escalation in southern Syria.
