December 10, 2024 – Israeli troops entering the buffer zone near the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights have been flagged as a violation of the 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria, according to the United Nations.
UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric confirmed on Monday that the UN peacekeeping force in the region, known as UNDOF (United Nations Disengagement Observer Force), notified Israeli authorities that their actions breached the long-standing agreement meant to ensure peace in the volatile region.
Dujarric stated that Israeli forces were operating in at least three locations within the buffer zone, which was established in 1974 to separate Israeli-occupied and Syrian territories. The UN emphasized that military activities in the zone contravene the terms of the disengagement accord.
“There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation,” Dujarric said. “Israel and Syria must continue to uphold the terms of that 1974 agreement and preserve stability in the Golan Heights.”
The development follows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s directive to “seize” the demilitarized zone following the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Netanyahu cited concerns about “the possible entry of armed individuals into the buffer zone” as justification for the troop deployment.
Israeli forces stated they would maintain their presence in the buffer zone “as long as necessary to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel.”
The Golan Heights, a strategically significant plateau, was captured by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War and later annexed, a move not recognized by most of the international community. The 1974 disengagement agreement established the buffer zone and UNDOF’s role in maintaining peace between the two sides.
The situation unfolds amid a significant power vacuum in Syria following Bashar al-Assad’s ousting, with various factions vying for control. Israel’s actions in the Golan Heights could heighten tensions, particularly as Russia extends political asylum to the former Syrian leader.
The UN called for restraint and urged both Israel and Syria to adhere to the disengagement agreement to prevent further destabilization in the region.
As Syria enters a new chapter post-Assad, the international community is closely monitoring the evolving dynamics in the Golan Heights. The UN has reiterated its commitment to maintaining peace and stability, but with Israeli forces currently stationed in the buffer zone, the situation remains precarious.
The Golan Heights, long a flashpoint in Middle Eastern politics, continues to be a symbol of unresolved conflict and contested sovereignty.
