The United Nations issued a stern warning on Monday regarding Israeli military operations within the Golan Heights buffer zone, labeling the activities a violation of a 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria. The warning follows reports of Israeli military personnel entering and maintaining positions in the sensitive area, prompting concern over the fragile stability of the region.
Speaking at a news conference, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric detailed the situation, stating that UN peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) had informed Israeli authorities that their actions breached the terms of the 1974 agreement.
“There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation,” Dujarric emphasized. He confirmed that Israeli personnel had entered the buffer zone and established positions in at least three locations. According to Israeli authorities, the deployment was a “temporary defensive measure” intended to prevent the buffer zone from being occupied by non-state armed groups.
Dujarric reiterated the UN’s position, urging both Israel and Syria to uphold the agreement to preserve regional stability. “Israel and Syria must continue to abide by the terms of the 1974 agreement and ensure that stability in the region is not undermined,” he stated.
The developments come amid significant turmoil in Syria, marked by the abrupt collapse of President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Following the fall of Damascus to anti-regime groups on Sunday, Assad reportedly fled to Russia, signaling the end of the Baath Party’s decades-long grip on power. This upheaval has amplified security concerns in the region, particularly for Israel, which shares a sensitive border with Syria in the Golan Heights.
In the wake of Assad’s departure, Israeli forces declared “closed military zones” in parts of the Golan Heights and increased their presence along the buffer zone. Israeli officials have expressed fears of armed group infiltration from the Syrian side, prompting what they describe as “limited and temporary” measures.
The 1974 disengagement agreement, signed in the aftermath of the 1973 Arab-Israeli War, delineates the boundaries between Israeli- and Syrian-controlled territories. It established a buffer zone monitored by UNDOF, with the aim of preventing further military escalations. The agreement also required Israel to withdraw from areas it had occupied during the conflict, including Quneitra and parts of Mount Hermon.
Since its inception, the agreement has been instrumental in maintaining a tenuous peace in the region. However, ongoing tensions, coupled with recent developments in Syria, have tested its resilience.
Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, defended his country’s actions in a letter to the UN Security Council. He stated that Israeli forces had assisted UNDOF in repelling an attack from armed groups attempting to enter the buffer zone.
“In response to this evolving security threat and the danger posed to Israel—particularly to the residents of the Golan Heights—Israel has taken limited and temporary measures to counter any further threat to its citizens,” Danon wrote. He emphasized that these actions were not an intervention in the broader Syrian conflict but were aimed solely at safeguarding Israel’s security.
Danon added that the Israeli military would continue to act as necessary to protect the nation, while maintaining its commitment to the 1974 agreement.
The UNDOF has played a critical role in monitoring the buffer zone since the agreement was signed. However, its operations have been complicated in recent years by the presence of various armed groups, which have increasingly operated in the area amidst Syria’s prolonged civil war.
Dujarric noted that peacekeepers had observed “unidentified armed individuals” manning checkpoints in the buffer zone, further complicating the situation. The presence of these groups has heightened concerns that the zone could become a flashpoint for conflict.
The collapse of Assad’s regime has introduced new variables into an already volatile equation. The fall of Damascus, preceded by the capture of Aleppo by anti-regime forces, marks a dramatic shift in Syria’s internal dynamics. This power vacuum raises the possibility of increased activity by non-state actors along the buffer zone, a scenario Israel is determined to preempt.
Experts warn that the situation could lead to a broader regional crisis if not managed carefully. “The buffer zone is a critical area for maintaining peace between Israel and Syria. Any deviation from the 1974 agreement could destabilize the region further,” said Middle East analyst Dr. Lina Kamal.
The international community has expressed concern over the escalating tensions. The UN Security Council is expected to convene in the coming days to discuss the situation, with calls for restraint on both sides.
“The priority must be to prevent any further escalation and to ensure the integrity of the disengagement agreement,” said a senior European diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity.
Russia, which has been a key ally of Assad, has yet to issue a formal statement on the developments. However, its role in providing asylum to Assad could influence future diplomatic negotiations regarding Syria’s reconstruction and governance.
