(241209) — GOLAN HEIGHTS, Dec. 9, 2024 (Xinhua) — Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. The Israeli army has seized control of areas near the border and struck strategic weapons in Syria as of Monday, according to Syrian and Israeli sources. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
On December 9, 2024, Israeli troops advanced near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, targeting strategic weapon sites in Syria. This operation is part of Israel’s ongoing efforts to prevent advanced weapons, including long-range missiles, from reaching hostile groups. The Israeli military also intensified construction and security activities along the Alpha Line, a demilitarized area patrolled by the UN since 1974. These actions have been flagged by UN peacekeepers as potential violations of the ceasefire agreement, raising concerns about escalating regional tensions.
The Israeli military intensified operations near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, striking key strategic weapon sites within Syria. The offensive is part of Israel’s ongoing strategy to counter threats from advanced weapon transfers to groups such as Hezbollah, which operates in the region with Iranian backing.
The Golan Heights, a contested area seized by Israel from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, has long been a flashpoint for regional tensions. Recent Israeli activities include expanding military infrastructure and constructing roads along the demilitarized Alpha Line. This construction has raised concerns from the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the ceasefire zone established in 1974. The UN described these actions as potential violations of ceasefire agreements and warned they could heighten tensions​.
Additionally, Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted depots and facilities linked to Iranian-backed militias in Syria, signaling a broader campaign to disrupt arms transfers. This activity comes amidst a volatile regional backdrop, with fears of escalations involving multiple actors.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated Israel’s long-standing claim over the Golan Heights, asserting that the territory, captured from Syria during the 1967 Six-Day War, will remain under Israeli control “for eternity.” This declaration comes amid heightened tensions following Israel’s seizure of strategic areas near the border and military strikes against targets in Syria, following the fall of the Assad regime. Netanyahu has emphasized the importance of the Golan Heights for Israel’s security and as a buffer against Iranian influence in Syria.
The recent Israeli actions include establishing control over a buffer zone and conducting strikes on weapons facilities in Syria, which have drawn international criticism, particularly from Syria and its allies. These developments underscore the ongoing strategic and geopolitical significance of the Golan Heights in the region​.
