Israeli Military Advance
Following the dramatic collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime on December 8, 2024, Israel has launched significant military operations in southwestern Syria, seizing control of the buffer zone and advancing into Syrian territory.
The United Nations has warned that Israeli presence in the demilitarized zone violates the 1974 Disengagement Agreement that has maintained relative peace along the Syrian-Israeli border for five decades.
Military Operations
Israeli forces have conducted extensive operations:
Ground Advances
| Area | Status |
|---|---|
| Buffer zone | Fully occupied |
| Khan Arnabah | Captured |
| Al-Salam | Under Israeli control |
| Quneitra Governorate | Partial control |
Air Strikes
- Syrian military installations bombed
- Naval assets destroyed
- Airbases targeted
- Alleged chemical weapons sites hit
- Ammunition depots eliminated
Israeli Justification
Defense Minister Israel Katz outlined Israel's position:
"We will not withdraw from Syria. Israel will establish a security zone to protect our citizens from threats across the border."
Stated Objectives
- Prevent weapons transfer to hostile forces
- Eliminate Iranian presence in Syria
- Protect Druze communities in southern Syria
- Establish security buffer beyond current lines
- Destroy military capabilities of new Syrian forces
UN Response
The United Nations has condemned the incursion:
Legal Concerns
- Violation of 1974 Disengagement Agreement
- UNDOF peacekeeping mission affected
- International law breaches alleged
- Security Council attention called
UN Statement
"The 1974 agreement must be respected. Any unilateral military actions undermine regional stability and international law."
The 1974 Agreement
The Disengagement Agreement established post-1973 war arrangements:
Key Provisions
| Element | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Buffer zone | Demilitarized area |
| Force limits | Restricted military presence |
| UNDOF | Peacekeeping force deployed |
| Monitoring | Regular inspections |
Current Status
Israel argues the agreement is void following Assad's fall, while the UN maintains international treaties remain in force regardless of regime changes.
Druze Community Factor
Israel has taken particular interest in Druze communities:
Actions
- Weapons reportedly supplied to Druze militias
- Humanitarian aid provided
- Protection from HTS forces offered
- Community leaders engaged
Context
Syrian Druze have historical ties to Israeli Druze citizens, creating complex loyalties in the transitional period.
Regional Reactions
Neighboring countries have responded cautiously:
Arab States
- Jordan - Concerned about stability
- Lebanon - Fragile ceasefire maintained
- Egypt - Called for restraint
- UAE - Monitoring situation
International Community
- Russia - Condemned Israeli advances
- Iran - Lost major regional ally
- Turkey - Complex situation navigation
- USA - Tacit support for Israel
Strategic Implications
The Israeli operations have broader consequences:
For Syria
- Territorial integrity challenges
- New government legitimacy tested
- Reconstruction complications
- International diplomacy affected
For Israel
- Security buffer expanded
- Iranian influence eliminated
- New challenges with HTS
- International criticism faced
What's Next
The situation remains fluid:
Key Questions
- Will Israel withdraw eventually?
- Can new Syrian government negotiate?
- What role will international pressure play?
- How will regional dynamics shift?
The Israeli incursion marks a significant change in the decades-old Syrian-Israeli dynamic, with implications that will unfold over the coming months.
