Israel’s Expansionist Actions in the Golan Heights Raise International Concerns
Israeli Flag in the Cross Between Syria and Israel, Photo: The New Arab
December 18, 2024 Hour: 7:20 pm
In a troubling escalation of tensions, Israel has seized control of the UN-monitored peace zone in the Syrian Golan Heights, capitalizing on the turmoil following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.
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The Zionist regime has launched attacks on civilian territories with apparent expansionist objectives, prompting the United Nations to condemn these violations of the ceasefire agreement with Syria.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric stated on Tuesday that “the presence of Israeli military forces in the peace zone is a violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement,” emphasizing that such agreements must be respected.
He further noted, “Occupation is occupation, whether it lasts a week, a month, or a year; it remains an occupation.”
These comments from the UN come after Tel Aviv claimed it had taken “limited and temporary measures” to supposedly “counter any threat” in the currently occupied Golan Heights.
Israeli troops have advanced to the summit of Jabal al-Shaykh, which serves as an observation point for areas in Syria and Lebanon. Standing at 2,814 meters, it is the highest point on the eastern Mediterranean coast.
Israeli forces have moved beyond the so-called buffer zone towards Damascus, while warplanes have conducted hundreds of airstrikes against Syrian targets.
Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since the Six-Day War in 1967 and has consistently refused to withdraw its forces or return the territory despite calls for compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 242.
In recent years, Israel has established approximately three dozen Jewish settlements in the occupied Golan Heights. Last week, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz announced plans to increase settlement construction to maintain greater control over the area.
The international community watches closely as these developments unfold, raising alarms about potential violations of international law and further destabilization in a region already fraught with conflict. As calls for accountability grow louder, it becomes increasingly clear that lasting peace will require respect for sovereignty and adherence to established agreements.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: Quds Network-PressTV
