Israel's military has taken action by deploying forces into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria in the occupied Golan Heights. This move comes in response to recent events in Syria, including the entry of armed personnel into the buffer zone.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released a statement on Sunday confirming the deployment of forces in the buffer zone and other strategic locations deemed necessary for defense. The primary objective is to ensure the safety of the communities in the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel.
The IDF has made it clear that their presence in the area is solely for defensive purposes and to safeguard the buffer zone. They have emphasized that they are not intervening in the internal affairs of Syria.
The Golan Heights holds significant strategic importance, having been seized by Israel from Syria during the Six-Day War in 1967 and formally annexed in 1981. This hilly region, spanning approximately 500 square miles, shares borders with Jordan and Lebanon.
From the rocky terrain of the Golan Heights, one can see Syria's capital, Damascus. The area occupied by Israel is separated from Syria by a buffer zone supported by the United Nations. It is crucial to note that the Golan Heights is considered occupied territory under international law and UN Security Council resolutions.
Syria has consistently demanded the return of the Golan Heights. The ongoing deployment of Israeli forces in the buffer zone underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.