According to the military, the operation targeted individuals who were considered an immediate threat to Israeli soldiers operating near the frontier, News.az reports.
Table Of Content
***
In a brief statement, the IDF said it would continue carrying out military operations to eliminate any threats against Israeli civilians and its armed forces. The military did not identify those killed or specify whether they belonged to a particular armed group. Israeli officials have consistently argued that proactive operations are necessary to prevent attacks before they can be launched against Israeli territory or military positions.
The latest operation reflects Israel’s continuing strategy of conducting security missions beyond its internationally recognized borders whenever military commanders believe potential threats are emerging.
Why is Israel operating inside southern Syria?
Israel says its military presence in southern Syria is intended to prevent hostile groups from establishing positions close to its northern border. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that instability inside Syria could allow armed organizations to expand their activities, increasing the risk of attacks against Israel.
Following major political and military developments inside Syria in December 2024, Israeli forces advanced into parts of the United Nations-monitored buffer zone. Israeli leaders described the deployment as a temporary security measure designed to address rapidly changing conditions on the ground.
Military officials have indicated that Israeli forces will remain in the area as long as security assessments determine that threats continue to exist. The presence is presented by Israel as part of a defensive strategy rather than an attempt to permanently expand territory.
What changed in December 2024?
The security landscape shifted dramatically in December 2024 when Israeli troops entered the buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces near the occupied Golan Heights. The move followed significant political changes inside Syria that raised concerns in Israel about the future stability of the border region.
For decades, the area had been supervised by the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which was established under the 1973 Disengagement Agreement between Israel and Syria. The force has monitored the ceasefire line and helped reduce the risk of direct military confrontation between the two countries.
Israel argued that changing conditions required immediate military action to prevent security gaps that could be exploited by armed groups operating in southern Syria.
Why has the deployment been controversial?
The deployment has drawn widespread international attention because many governments and international organizations argue that moving troops into the buffer zone violates the ceasefire arrangements established after the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.
The United Nations has repeatedly called for respect for the existing agreements governing the area and urged all parties to avoid actions that could increase regional tensions. International officials have warned that unilateral military deployments could undermine decades of relative stability along one of the Middle East’s most sensitive frontiers.
Israel rejects those criticisms, maintaining that the deployment is based solely on security considerations and is intended to prevent future attacks rather than alter permanent borders.
How much additional territory is under Israeli military control?
According to assessments by the United Nations, Israel’s advance into southern Syria resulted in approximately 235 square kilometers, or about 90 square miles, of additional Syrian territory coming under Israeli military control.
The territory is located adjacent to the occupied Golan Heights and includes areas that had previously formed part of the demilitarized buffer zone monitored by the United Nations. The expansion has become a key issue in diplomatic discussions over the legality of Israel’s military presence and the future of the ceasefire arrangements.
Although Israel describes the deployment as temporary, the continued military presence has fueled international debate about the long-term status of the territory.
Why is southern Syria strategically important?
Southern Syria occupies a highly sensitive location because it borders Israel and Jordan while providing access to key military routes across the region. Control of elevated terrain and observation points gives military forces important advantages for surveillance and early warning.
For Israel, preventing hostile groups from establishing infrastructure near its border is considered a national security priority. For Syria, the continued presence of Israeli troops inside its territory is viewed as a violation of sovereignty.
The region has long served as one of the Middle East’s most closely monitored military frontiers, making any change in troop deployments significant for regional security.
Could the situation lead to further escalation?
The possibility of further escalation remains a major concern. Israeli forces continue to conduct operations whenever intelligence indicates potential security threats, while Syria continues to oppose Israel’s military presence inside its territory.
The United Nations has repeatedly urged restraint and emphasized the importance of maintaining the ceasefire mechanisms that have helped prevent broader conflict for decades. However, continued military operations, combined with unresolved political disputes, increase the risk of additional confrontations.
Analysts say that unless a broader political or security arrangement is reached, southern Syria is likely to remain an area of periodic military operations and heightened regional tensions.
