In a notable development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Israeli military has temporarily taken control of a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Netanyahu cited the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement wiht Syria, triggered by the rebel takeover of the country, as the reason for this action.
“We will not allow any antagonistic force to establish itself on our border,” Netanyahu declared, explaining that he had ordered the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to enter the buffer zone and “commanding positions nearby” from the israeli-occupied part of the Golan.
this move comes after reports from a UK-based war monitor indicating that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions in Quneitra province, a portion of which lies within the buffer zone, on Saturday. On sunday, the IDF instructed residents of five Syrian villages located within the zone to remain in their homes until further notice.
The Golan Heights, a rocky plateau situated approximately 40 miles southwest of Damascus, was captured by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War. Israel subsequently annexed the territory in 1981, a move not recognized internationally, even though the United States unilaterally recognized it in 2019.
The Israeli action in the buffer zone follows the capture of Damascus by Syrian rebel fighters, leading to the downfall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. Assad and his father had ruled syria since 1971.
“the collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers,” Netanyahu stated, calling it a “historic day in the Middle East.”
He attributed the events in Syria to israeli strikes against Iran and Hezbollah, Assad’s allies, and emphasized that Israel would extend a “hand of peace” to Syrians who desired peaceful coexistence with Israel.
Netanyahu characterized the IDF’s seizure of Syrian positions in the buffer zone as a “temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found.” He added, “If we can establish neighbourly relations and peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria, that’s our desire. But if we do not, we will do whatever it takes to defend the State of Israel and the border of Israel.”
The rapidly evolving situation in Syria presents a complex challenge for Israel, which is already grappling with regional instability. The IDF had previously deployed reinforcements to the occupied Golan in anticipation of potential spillover from the Syrian conflict.
Israel issued a stark warning to residents in several Syrian villages near the Golan Heights, urging them to remain indoors. The message, delivered amidst the ongoing syrian civil war, underscored Israel’s readiness to take decisive action if necessary to protect its security interests.
“israel would not hesitate to act if it felt it needed to,” the statement declared, a proclamation that, in ordinary circumstances, could be interpreted as a highly provocative move with the potential to escalate tensions.
A key concern for Israel is the potential for Bashar al-Assad’s alleged chemical weapons arsenal to fall into the wrong hands. The volatile situation in Syria has raised fears about the security of these weapons and the possibility of their misuse.
Adding to the complexity of the situation is the leadership of the Syrian rebellion,headed by Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani. His family hails from the occupied Golan Heights, a region now home to thousands of Israeli settlers living alongside approximately 20,000 Syrians, primarily Druze, who remained after Israel captured the territory.
Israel has made it abundantly clear that it has no intention of relinquishing control of the Golan Heights and is committed to safeguarding its citizens in the region.
During the 2011 Syrian uprising, Israel made a strategic calculation that Assad, despite his alliances with iran and Hezbollah, posed a lesser threat than the potential successors to his regime.
Now, as the Syrian conflict enters a new phase, Israel faces the daunting task of assessing the future trajectory of the country. Like many observers, Israel can only speculate about what lies ahead.
## Israel Takes Control of Golan Heights Buffer Zone Amidst Syrian Civil War
The Syrian civil war takes another turn as Israel announces the seizure of a demilitarized buffer zone in the strategically important golan Heights. This move, justified by the collapse of a decades-old disengagement agreement, raises questions about regional stability and Israel’s future relations with a fractured Syria.
**World-Today-News.com Exclusive Interview with Middle East Expert Dr. Sarah Ibrahim**
**Senior Editor:** Dr. Ibrahim, thank you for joining us today to discuss this notable development.
**Dr. Ibrahim:** It’s my pleasure to be here. This situation in the Golan Heights is certainly complex and carries profound implications for the region.
### israel’s Justification for Action
**Senior Editor:** Prime Minister Netanyahu cited the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria as the rationale for this move. What are the finer points of this agreement, and how has the current situation in Syria led to its breakdown?
**Dr. Ibrahim:** The 1974 agreement, following the Yom Kippur War, established a demilitarized zone in the Golan Heights, aimed at separating Israeli and Syrian forces. it was a fragile peace, always susceptible to the volatile Syrian political landscape.With the Syrian rebel forces overtaking Damascus and the downfall of the Assad regime, this agreement has effectively crumbled. israel, citing security concerns, felt compelled to act.
### The Wider Impact on Regional stability
**Senior Editor:** Many are expressing concern that Israel’s action could escalate tensions in an already unstable region. How do you see this playing out?
**Dr. Ibrahim:** It’s a valid concern. The Golan Heights is a sensitive area, claimed by both Israelis and Syrians. Israel’s decision to take control of the buffer zone, even if temporary, could be seen as a provocation by other actors in
the region – potentially leading to a chain reaction of escalatory actions.
### Israel’s Stance Towards a Post-Assad Syria
**Senior Editor:** Netanyahu mentioned a “historic day” and spoke of extending a “hand of peace” to Syrians who desired peaceful coexistence. What is highly likely the driving force behind this seemingly conciliatory gesture?
**Dr. Ibrahim:** It’s a delicate balancing act. While Israel is prepared to defend its interests, they also recognize the possibility of a power vacuum in Syria. They might be hoping to build relationships with new actors in a post-Assad Syria, thereby minimizing threats from groups like Hezbollah or extremist factions.
### Concerns About Chemical Weapons and the Golan Heights
**Senior Editor:** There are anxieties, especially regarding Bashar al-Assad’s alleged chemical weapons stockpile. Is there a credible threat that these weapons could fall into the wrong hands, and what could the consequences be?
**Dr. Ibrahim:** the potential for the proliferation of chemical weapons is a very serious concern.
The current chaos in Syria raises the spectre of these weapons falling into the hands of militant groups or unstable factions. This poses a direct threat not only to Syria’s neighbors but to global security.
### The Future of the Golan Heights: A Divided Territory
**Senior Editor:** The Golan Heights, occupied as 1967 by Israel, is home to a mixed population of Israeli settlers and Druze Syrians. How does this demographic reality complicate any future discussions about the region’s status?
**Dr.Ibrahim:** The Golan Heights is essentially a tinderbox of conflicting claims and identities. The presence of both Israeli settlers and Syrian Druze creates a complex political and social landscape. Any lasting solution will have to address the rights and concerns of all communities living in the region.
**Senior editor:**
Dr. Ibrahim, thank you for sharing your insights on this critical situation. As events continue to unfold in Syria and the Golan Heights, the world will be watching closely.