The United Nations has accused Israel of engaging in “severe violations” of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement with Syria. The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) stated that Israel has conducted engineering activities encroaching on a key buffer zone in the Golan Heights, violating the ceasefire between Israel and Syria since 1974.
Satellite imagery shows that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been excavating near Jubata Al Khashab, Syria, with a large trench stretching almost five miles. The construction, which began in July, includes the use of excavators, armored vehicles, and soldiers, with main battle tanks occasionally present in the demilitarized zone.
UNDOF has protested the construction work to the IDF, expressing concerns that the violations could escalate tensions in the area. The buffer zone was established in 1974 to maintain peace between Israel and Syria, with the help of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Golan.
Israel sees the Golan Heights as strategically important for its national security interests, given its annexation in 1981. The region is home to Arab Druze and Jewish Israelis and shares borders with Jordan and Lebanon, where Israel has been combating Hezbollah.
Israeli activities in the Golan are believed to be defensive measures against potential threats from Hezbollah militias. Israel has conducted strikes inside Syria, targeting Iranian or Hezbollah interests, leading to heightened tensions in the region.
Despite accusations of violations by both Israel and Syria, the situation remains complex, with the potential for further escalation. The UN continues to monitor the developments closely to prevent any further breaches of the 1974 agreement.
