As Israel advances on a Syrian buffer zone, it sees peril and opportunity
2 weeks ago

As Israel advances on a Syrian buffer zone, it sees peril and opportunity

Associated Press  

TEL AVIV, Israel — The dramatic downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad presents possible danger, and an opening, for neighboring Israel. Israeli soldiers joke next to an armored vehicle parked near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. On a visit Sunday to a Golan Heights hilltop overlooking Syria, Netanyahu said that because Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, Israel’s move into the buffer zone was necessary as a “temporary defensive position.” “The peacekeepers at 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,” said U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric. Israeli soldiers stand guard on a security fence gate near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. Israeli soldiers take position near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024.

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History of this topic

Syrian villagers near the Golan Heights say Israeli forces are banning them from their fields
4 days, 1 hour ago

Syrian villagers near the Golan Heights say Israeli forces are banning them from their fields

Associated Press  

Israeli forces have set up a position in an abandoned Syrian army base in the village of Maariyah and prevented local farmers from accessing their fields, residents said Thursday. “But then Israel came, and it is preventing people from coming and going and moving.” The Israeli military said in a statement that it is “operating within the buffer zone and …

Separated for decades, Assad’s fall spurs hope for families split by Golan Heights buffer zone
4 days, 14 hours ago

Separated for decades, Assad’s fall spurs hope for families split by Golan Heights buffer zone

Associated Press  

MAJDAL SHAMS, Golan Heights — The four sisters gathered by the side of the road, craning their necks to peer far beyond the razor wire-reinforced fence snaking across the mountain. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Safadi sisters Soha, left, and Salma, cry after speaking by phone with their sister, Sawsan, who is …

Netanyahu says Israeli troops to occupy Syria buffer zone for foreseeable future
5 days, 13 hours ago

Netanyahu says Israeli troops to occupy Syria buffer zone for foreseeable future

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops …

Israel’s borders have shifted throughout its history. Action in Syria may reshape them again
5 days, 14 hours ago

Israel’s borders have shifted throughout its history. Action in Syria may reshape them again

Associated Press  

JERUSALEM — Israel’s prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, entered Syrian territory Tuesday and said Israeli troops would remain in the area indefinitely, blurring the border with its northern neighbor. Share Share Copy Link copied Email Facebook X Reddit LinkedIn Pinterest Flipboard Print Israel quickly annexed east Jerusalem – home to the city’s most sensitive Jewish, Muslim and Christian holy sites as …

Israel plans an extended occupation of Syrian buffer zone
Trending News
5 days, 16 hours ago

Israel plans an extended occupation of Syrian buffer zone

Deccan Chronicle  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops will occupy a buffer zone inside Syria for the foreseeable future. Israel’s recent capture of the buffer zone has sparked condemnation, with critics accusing Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and possibly exploiting the chaos in Syria for a land grab.Netanyahu entered the buffer zone on Tuesday, making him the first sitting …

Israeli forces to remain in Syria's buffer zone for foreseeable future, says Netanyahu
Trending News
6 days, 1 hour ago

Israeli forces to remain in Syria's buffer zone for foreseeable future, says Netanyahu

Firstpost  

Netanyahu visited the buffer zone with Defence Minister Israel Katz, who said he instructed the Israeli military to quickly establish a presence including fortifications, in anticipation of what could be an extended stay in the area. Image- AP Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Tuesday that forces would remain in a buffer zone on the Syrian border, specifically on Mount …

What lessons Israeli capture of Syria’s Golan buffer zone has for India
6 days, 9 hours ago

What lessons Israeli capture of Syria’s Golan buffer zone has for India

Firstpost  

he price of peace often lies in preparedness and resolve to take the path of tough decisions. Time may not always be on our side Israel’s preemptive operations in Syria underscore its unwavering commitment to safeguarding its citizens and securing its borders. The Israeli prime minister said Israeli control of the high ground “ensures our security and sovereignty”, adding, “The …

Is HTS chief Sharaa going soft on Israel despite Golan incursions?
6 days, 10 hours ago

Is HTS chief Sharaa going soft on Israel despite Golan incursions?

Firstpost  

The Golan Heights ceasefire breach by Israel seems to have no impact on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham’s chief Ahmad al-Sharaa who has said that the “general exhaustion” in Syria does not “allow” it to enter into new conflicts with Israel Israel has been Syria’s archnemesis since history can remember. Israel breaches Golan Heights ceasefire Last week, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu …

Turkey slams Israel's annexation plan, calls it bid to expand borders
1 week ago

Turkey slams Israel's annexation plan, calls it bid to expand borders

Firstpost  

Israel’s government on Sunday approved a plan to double the population of the annexed Golan Heights, just days after its troops seized a UN-monitored buffer zone bordering Syria as rebel forces moved on Damascus An Israeli armoured vehicle maneuvers along the security fence near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of …

Why Israel has its eyes set on Syria’s Golan Heights
Trending News
1 week ago

Why Israel has its eyes set on Syria’s Golan Heights

Firstpost  

The Israeli government has green-lit a plan to double the population in the occupied Golan Heights. Here’s why An Israeli armoured vehicle maneuvers along the security fence near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, December 15, 2024. Israeli forces captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Six-Day War, …

Israel agrees to double population in Golan Heights citing threats from Syria
Top News
1 week ago

Israel agrees to double population in Golan Heights citing threats from Syria

India Today  

Israel agreed on Sunday to double its population on the occupied Golan Heights while saying threats from Syria remained despite the moderate tone of rebel leaders who ousted President Bashar al-Assad a week ago. Defence Minister Israel Katz said in a statement that the latest developments in Syria increased the threat to Israel, "despite the moderate image that the rebel …

Is Israel trying to entrench its occupation of the Golan Heights?
1 week ago

Is Israel trying to entrench its occupation of the Golan Heights?

Al Jazeera  

Since the fall of the al-Assad regime, Israel has attacked Syria to deepen the occupation of the Golan Heights. Among Israel’s recent violations of Syrian sovereignty, which include hundreds of air attacks, is its renewed encroachment into the Golan Heights – with tanks and illegal settlements. During the 1973 October War, Syria tried to take back the Golan Heights but …

Several countries slam Israeli plans to expand settlements in Syria’s Golan
1 week ago

Several countries slam Israeli plans to expand settlements in Syria’s Golan

Al Jazeera  

US military says it kills ISIL fighters as EU warns that Iran and Russia should have ‘no place’ in Syria’s future. Several countries have condemned Israel’s plan to expand settlements in Syria’s occupied Golan Heights after the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad by opposition fighters. Multiple Middle Eastern nations and Israel’s ally Germany on Monday denounced Israel’s decision to …

Israel plans to double population on occupied Golan, cites threats from Syria
Top News
1 week, 1 day ago

Israel plans to double population on occupied Golan, cites threats from Syria

The Hindu  

Israel agreed on Sunday to double its population in the occupied Golan Heights while saying threats from Syria remained despite the moderate tone of rebel leaders who ousted President Bashar al-Assad a week ago. "The immediate risks to the country have not disappeared and the latest developments in Syria increase the strength of the threat — despite the moderate image …

Israel intensifies Syria attacks, but HTS leader says doesn’t want conflict
1 week, 1 day ago

Israel intensifies Syria attacks, but HTS leader says doesn’t want conflict

Al Jazeera  

De facto new leader Ahmed al-Sharaa slams Israelis attacks, but says his country cannot afford to enter a new conflict. “More than 60 Israeli air strikes took place over the last 12 hours,” Al Jazeera’s Resul Serdar, reporting from the Syrian capital, Damascus, said, adding that Israel has conducted about 800 air raids across Syria since the ouster of Syrian …

'We're preventing jihadists from reaching us': Israeli commander on why military moved into Syria
1 week, 4 days ago

'We're preventing jihadists from reaching us': Israeli commander on why military moved into Syria

Firstpost  

Following the ouster of the Assad regime in Syria, the Israeli military has moved into southern Syria to control the demilitarised buffer zone along the Israel-Syria border, with a commander saying the move was necessitated to ensure jihadists don’t enter Israel Israeli soldiers patrol the perimeter of the agricultural settlement of Avivim, next to the Lebanese border in upper Galilee, …

Israeli forces seize buffer zone along occupied Golan Heights after Assad’s downfall
1 week, 4 days ago

Israeli forces seize buffer zone along occupied Golan Heights after Assad’s downfall

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Israel’s military marched into the …

Despite Israel’s denial, war monitor says IDF warplanes pound Syria deep into the country
1 week, 5 days ago

Despite Israel’s denial, war monitor says IDF warplanes pound Syria deep into the country

Firstpost  

Israel’s actions drew swift condemnation from regional powers. Turkey denounced the incursion, calling it evidence of an “occupier’s mentality" This picture taken from northern Israel shows an Israeli Air Force fighter jet flying over the border area with south Lebanon. AFP File Israeli warplanes struck targets deep within Syria as ground troops reportedly advanced further into the country, a Syrian …

New Syria PM calls for stability and calm
1 week, 5 days ago

New Syria PM calls for stability and calm

Deccan Chronicle  

Damascus: Syria's new transitional prime minister on Tuesday said it was time for "stability and calm" in the country, two days after longtime president Bashar al-Assad was toppled by rebels in a lightning offensive. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged all nations to support an "inclusive" political process in Syria, saying the United States would eventually recognise a government …

Israeli warplanes pound Syria as troops reportedly advance deeper into the country
Trending News
1 week, 5 days ago

Israeli warplanes pound Syria as troops reportedly advance deeper into the country

Deccan Chronicle  

DAMASCUS: Israel carried out a wave of heavy airstrikes across Syria as its troops advanced deeper into the country, a Syrian opposition war monitor said Tuesday, and the Israeli defense minister announced that his forces had destroyed Syria’s navy. Speaking at a navy base in Haifa, Katz said the army will create a “defense zone free of weapons and terrorist …

Israel to establish 'sterile defence zone' in southern Syria, claims it destroyed Syrian fleet
1 week, 6 days ago

Israel to establish 'sterile defence zone' in southern Syria, claims it destroyed Syrian fleet

Firstpost  

Israel on Tuesday announced plans to create a “sterile defence zone” in southern Syria to enhance security along its border, while also claimed responsibility for destroying a Syrian military fleet in a recent operation Israeli soldiers operate in a location given as Southern Syria, in this screengrab from a video obtained by Reuters on December 9, 2024. Reuters Israel has …

Israeli strikes hit Syria’s navy, military arsenals
1 week, 6 days ago

Israeli strikes hit Syria’s navy, military arsenals

Live Mint  

TEL AVIV—Israel targeted Syria’s naval and other military assets overnight as part of its campaign to destroy weapons left behind by the country’s military following the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad. Israel’s military in recent days has also moved its troops into the 155-square-mile buffer zone in the Golan Heights and said Tuesday its forces were still holding their position …

Syrian Government Services Halted After Rebel Takeover
1 week, 6 days ago

Syrian Government Services Halted After Rebel Takeover

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria’s prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were back at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt.” Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into …

Israel Sees Peril And Opportunity As It Advances On Syrian Buffer Zone
1 week, 6 days ago

Israel Sees Peril And Opportunity As It Advances On Syrian Buffer Zone

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING TEL AVIV, Israel — The dramatic downfall of Syrian President Bashar Assad presents possible danger, and an opening, for neighboring Israel. Amir Levy via Getty Images Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Israeli forces were moving to control a roughly 400-square-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone in Syrian territory. On a visit Sunday to a Golan Heights hilltop …

Israel strikes Syria 480 times and seizes territory as Netanyahu pledges to change face of the Middle East
1 week, 6 days ago

Israel strikes Syria 480 times and seizes territory as Netanyahu pledges to change face of the Middle East

CNN  

CNN — The collapse of the Assad regime has prompted a punishing military response from Israel, which has launched airstrikes at military targets across Syria and deployed ground troops both into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first time in 50 years. The Israeli military on Tuesday said it had carried out about 480 strikes across the country …

Israel strikes Syria 480 times and seizes territory as Netanyahu pledges to change face of the Middle East
1 week, 6 days ago

Israel strikes Syria 480 times and seizes territory as Netanyahu pledges to change face of the Middle East

CNN  

CNN — The collapse of the Assad regime has prompted a punishing military response from Israel, which has launched airstrikes at military targets across Syria and deployed ground troops both into and beyond a demilitarized buffer zone for the first time in 50 years. The Israeli military on Tuesday said it had carried out about 480 strikes across the country …

State Department defends Israeli occupation of Syrian Golan Heights
Trending News
1 week, 6 days ago

State Department defends Israeli occupation of Syrian Golan Heights

The Independent  

Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The US State Department defended the Israeli military’s push into …

Israeli airstrikes target Syrian chemical-weapons systems
2 weeks ago

Israeli airstrikes target Syrian chemical-weapons systems

Live Mint  

TEL AVIV—Israel said it had struck chemical-weapons caches and other missile and air-defense systems in Syria on Monday, taking advantage of the chaos there to destroy what it sees as dangerous assets that could fall into rebel hands. Therefore we attacked strategic weapons, the residual chemical weapons capabilities, long-range missiles and rockets, so they won’t fall into the hands of …

Syria Rebellion 'Moment Of Historic Opportunity', Says Biden, Israel Seizes Golan Buffer Zone: Top Updates
2 weeks ago

Syria Rebellion 'Moment Of Historic Opportunity', Says Biden, Israel Seizes Golan Buffer Zone: Top Updates

ABP News  

Outgoing US President Joe Biden said the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria is a historic opportunity for the people of the country who have been brutalised, tortured and killed by his government over the past half a century. Speaking at the White House hours after rebel groups took over the country, Biden said the fall of the …

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq condemn Israel’s ‘dangerous’ land grab in Syria
Trending News
2 weeks ago

Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Iraq condemn Israel’s ‘dangerous’ land grab in Syria

Al Jazeera  

Arab statements come as Israel continues to step up strikes across Syria after ouster of Bashar al-Assad’s government. Qatar, Iraq and Saudi Arabia have decried Israel’s seizure of land in Syria near the occupied Golan Heights as the Israeli military continues to launch air strikes across the country. The Qatari Foreign Ministry said on Monday that Doha considers the Israeli …

Netanyahu claims Israel-occupied Golan Heights in Syria will remain Israeli 'for eternity'
2 weeks ago

Netanyahu claims Israel-occupied Golan Heights in Syria will remain Israeli 'for eternity'

New Indian Express  

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel for almost 60 years, would remain Israeli "for eternity". Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that he had ordered the army to "take control" of the zone -- on the east of the Israeli-annexed Golan -- after the fall of Syrian president Bashar …

Israel ‘seizes’ buffer zone in occupied Golan Heights amid turmoil in Syria
Top News
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Israel ‘seizes’ buffer zone in occupied Golan Heights amid turmoil in Syria

Hindustan Times  

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday he had ordered the Israeli military to "seize" a demilitarised buffer zone on the border with Syria after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. The announcement, which Netanyahu made while visiting the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights which abut the buffer zone, came after the military said it had deployed forces to the area. …

Syria latest: Syrians celebrate in the streets as Russian media says Assad has arrived in Moscow
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Syria latest: Syrians celebrate in the streets as Russian media says Assad has arrived in Moscow

Associated Press  

Syrians poured into streets in celebration on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad family’s 50 years of iron rule. But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement regarding Syrian territory had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating Israel taking over as a “temporary defensive position.” United Nations secretary-general …

Syria civil war: Russia says Bashar al-Assad has left Syria; Israeli PM orders ’seizure’ of buffer zone — 10 points
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Syria civil war: Russia says Bashar al-Assad has left Syria; Israeli PM orders ’seizure’ of buffer zone — 10 points

Live Mint  

As the Bashar al-Assad’s government collapsed after opposition fighters entered Damascus, crowds gathered in the Syria capital on Sunday to celebrate the end of a tyrant’s over 13 years long regime and stormed the presidential palace. Here are the 10 key points on Syria – ‘Bashar Assad had left Syria’ Russia's Foreign Ministry claimed on Sunday that Bashar Assad had …

Israel deploys troops to buffer zone as rebels take Damascus
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Israel deploys troops to buffer zone as rebels take Damascus

Firstpost  

The buffer zone, established in 1974 after the Yom Kippur War, separates Israeli-held and Syrian territories. The area has been monitored by UN peacekeepers for decades The Israeli military said Sunday it had deployed troops to a demilitarised buffer zone in southwest Syria bordering the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights following the fall of Damascus to rebel forces. “Following recent events in …

Israel seizes buffer zone in Syria’s Golan Heights after al-Assad falls
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Israel seizes buffer zone in Syria’s Golan Heights after al-Assad falls

Al Jazeera  

Israeli forces also bomb weapons depots in southern Syria and the capital Damascus, Israeli media reports. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the occupied Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, after a lightning advance by Syrian opposition forces ended Bashar al-Assad’s rule. Meanwhile, Israeli media said on Sunday that …

Israel watches Syria with trepidation as 50 years of detente is upended
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Israel watches Syria with trepidation as 50 years of detente is upended

CNN  

CNN — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said that the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria was a “direct result” of Israel’s military campaign against Iran and its proxy in Lebanon, Hezbollah. Israel’s Minister of Diaspora and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chiklisaid said in a statement that “the bottom line is that most of Syria is now under …

UN sounds alarm at Israel’s ‘severe violations’ at key buffer zone with Syria
1 month, 1 week ago

UN sounds alarm at Israel’s ‘severe violations’ at key buffer zone with Syria

CNN  

CNN — The United Nations has accused Israel of “severe violations” of a 50-year-old agreement with Syria, saying it has engaged in “engineering groundwork activities” that encroach on a key buffer zone in the Golan Heights. The “extensive engineering groundwork activities” run along the so-called Alpha Line that separates Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, UNDOF said, adding that the …

Israel is building along U.N.-patrolled demilitarized zone in Syria, satellite images show
1 month, 1 week ago

Israel is building along U.N.-patrolled demilitarized zone in Syria, satellite images show

LA Times  

This satellite image from Planet Labs PBC shows Israeli forces digging along the Alpha Line separating the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from a demilitarized zone in Syria patrolled by United Nations forces. Israel has begun a construction project along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria, apparently laying asphalt for a road right along the frontier, …

Israel army says it hit Syrian ‘structures’ in Golan Heights
1 year, 3 months ago

Israel army says it hit Syrian ‘structures’ in Golan Heights

Al Jazeera  

The announcement came after two people were reportedly killed in an Israeli attack near the Syrian town of Beit Jinn. Israel’s military has said its tanks fired on two Syrian structures in the Golan Heights in what the army said was a violation of a 1974 disengagement accord between the two countries. The announcement from Israel’s military came after at …

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