The United Nations has confirmed the presence of Israeli forces within the Golan Heights buffer zone in Syria and reported the removal of Israeli flags from the area by UN peacekeepers.
The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), tasked with maintaining the ceasefire and monitoring the buffer zone established by the 1974 disengagement agreement, said its operations have been severely hampered by the Israeli army’s activities.
UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated on Tuesday that the Israeli army’s actions have severely impacted the mobility and functionality of peacekeepers. He highlighted that the mission, which previously conducted 55 to 60 daily operational tasks, is now limited to just three to five essential movements per day, significantly hindering its operations.
He underscored the importance of allowing peacekeepers to perform their duties safely and without obstruction, reiterating the need for all parties to adhere to the 1974 disengagement agreement and maintain the ceasefire.
UNDOF has reported the deployment of Israeli troops at key locations within the buffer zone, including Mount Hermon and Tank Hill east of the Bravo line. Israeli flags were observed at three positions within the area of separation but were subsequently removed after protests by UNDOF officials.
The mission also noted Israeli military movements and construction activities in at least four locations in the Mount Hermon area, further complicating the peacekeeping mission’s operations.
Israel has recently declared the collapse of the 1974 disengagement agreement, which had established a demilitarised buffer zone in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. This declaration followed intensified Israeli airstrikes targeting military sites across Syria, which Israel said were in response to recent developments in the region.
The ousting of Bashar Assad’s regime by anti-regime groups on 8 December has further destabilised the area, with Israel’s actions drawing condemnation from the UN and Arab nations as violations of Syrian sovereignty.
