The United Nations criticized Israel on Monday for allegedly breaching the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Syria. This followed Israel’s report to the UN Security Council about taking “limited and temporary measures” in a demilitarized strip along the Syrian border, aimed at addressing potential threats to the Israeli Golan Heights.
In a letter to the 15-member Security Council, Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, emphasized that Israel was not involved in the ongoing Syrian conflict, which saw the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on Sunday. He noted, “Our actions are solely focused on safeguarding our security.”
Danon’s letter followed statements from Defense Minister Yisroel Katz, who announced on Monday morning that the IDF had been ordered to complete its takeover of the buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights. This action came after the IDF took up dozens of new positions the previous day, preparing for potential instability after Syrian rebels ousted the Assad family’s 50-year rule.
The IDF described its deployment in the buffer zone as a defensive, temporary measure, but acknowledged that it might remain in place indefinitely depending on future developments.
The demilitarized buffer zone, which spans 235 square kilometers, was established under the 1974 Disengagement Agreement that concluded the Yom Kippur War and has been monitored by UN peacekeepers for decades. However, Israel indicated on Sunday that, with the fall of the Assad regime, the agreement was effectively nullified until order was restored in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remarked during a visit to the border that the agreement had “collapsed.”
Still, Danon reassured the UN Security Council that Israel remains committed to the principles of the 1974 agreement.
Soon after Danon informed the UN about Israel’s actions, a UN spokesperson declared that the Israeli forces’ presence in the buffer zone “constitute a violation” of the disengagement deal. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, stated that UN peacekeeping forces in the Golan Heights, known as UNDOF, had warned Israel that its actions violated the 1974 agreement.
Dujarric further confirmed that Israeli forces had established a presence in at least three locations within the zone. “There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation. And Israel and Syria must continue to uphold the terms of that 1974 agreement, and preserve stability in the Golan,” he said.
Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s actions in the buffer zone, calling it evidence of Israel’s intentions to “ruin Syria’s chance of restoring its security.” The Saudi foreign ministry stated, “The seizure of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights… confirms Israel’s continued violation of the rules of international law, and its determination to sabotage Syria’s chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity.”
On the other hand, the United States defended Israel’s actions, recognizing that Israel’s stated purpose was temporary. US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller explained during a press briefing that the Syrian army had abandoned positions on its side of the Golan Heights, creating a potential security vacuum that could be exploited by terrorist groups threatening Israel.
Miller justified Israel’s actions, saying, “Any country would be concerned and want to take action to prevent such a vacuum from being created.” He also noted that Israel’s public stance was that the action was temporary and added that the US would be monitoring the situation to ensure that Israel’s presence does not become permanent.
He concluded by saying, “Israel has said that these actions are temporary to defend its borders. These are not permanent actions, and so ultimately, what we want to see is lasting stability between Israel and Syria, and that means we support all sides upholding the 1974 disengagement agreement.”
In addition to its operations in the buffer zone, Israel has conducted a wide-ranging aerial campaign over Syria, targeting weaponry it fears could be acquired by hostile forces. According to Western intelligence sources, Israel has carried out around 300 airstrikes since Sunday. Ynet reported that if the current pace continues, Syria’s Air Force could be nearly destroyed in a matter of days, preventing any future threats from the air, whether from rebel groups or a new government.
The fall of the Assad government on Sunday marked the end of the 50-year rule of the Assad family. The sudden collapse came after a rebel offensive swept across government-held areas, eventually reaching the capital in just 10 days.
Syria’s civil war, which began in 2011 as a protest against Assad’s regime, escalated into a conflict that involved numerous foreign powers, fostered jihadist activity, and displaced millions of Syrians into neighboring countries.
The strongest rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, was formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda and is considered a terrorist organization by the US and other countries. Many Syrians fear that the group will impose a harsh Islamist regime. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani has tried to reassure minorities, claiming he would not interfere with their lives and that he opposes attacks on foreign targets. Reports from Aleppo, captured by the rebels last week, indicate there have been no reprisals so far.
{Matzav.com}