France and the UN urge Israel to uphold Syria’s territorial integrity and withdraw its forces from the demilitarized zone.
Israel has confirmed its troops will remain in the UN-monitored buffer zone between Israel and Syria, following calls from France, the UN, and several regional nations for a withdrawal. This follows Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz’s Tuesday announcement of a temporary “sterile defense zone” in southern Syria to counter perceived terrorist threats after the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government. Israeli forces have occupied the 1974 demilitarized buffer zone (DMZ), expanding beyond the Golan Heights illegally occupied since 1967.
France and the UN separately condemned this action as a breach of the disengagement agreement, demanding Israel respect Syria’s sovereignty.
However, Israeli foreign ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein stated on X that Israel’s actions are defensively necessary due to threats from jihadist groups near the border, adding that Israel will continue to act in self-defense and to protect its citizens.
A statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office described the deployment as temporary, contingent upon border security guarantees.
Israel seized most of the Golan Heights during the 1967 Six-Day War.
Netanyahu declared on Monday Israel’s intention to maintain permanent control over the Golan Heights, adjacent to the DMZ, considering it an integral part of Israel.
Israel has also conducted approximately 480 airstrikes in Syria recently, reportedly targeting weapons stockpiles and naval assets formerly belonging to Assad’s army, now under the control of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).
In a Wednesday interview with Channel 4, an HTS spokesperson refrained from condemning the Israeli strikes, stating only that the group desires respect for the sovereignty of “the new Syria.”
Saudi Arabia and Turkey have both condemned Israel’s actions. Riyadh stated earlier this week that Israel is attempting to undermine Syria’s efforts to restore security, stability, and territorial integrity.
Ankara similarly accused Israel of jeopardizing peace prospects in Syria.
“Israel, which destroyed Gaza, now threatens the future of our Syrian brothers and sisters,” Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on Tuesday.