Netanyahu Visits Syrian Territory, Sparking Tensions in Israel-Syria Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently visited southern Syrian territory, where Israeli troops have been stationed since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December. The visit, accompanied by senior Israeli officials including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Shin Bet head David Zini, has drawn sharp criticism from Syria and the United Nations.

The Israeli leaders toured areas in the Golan Heights, a UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces. Israel has maintained a military presence there since rebel forces overran Assad’s regime, citing the protection of Druze communities in Syria with familial and historical ties to Israeli Druze citizens.

Syria condemned the visit as a violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity. Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, told the Security Council that the tour reflected “Israel’s ongoing aggression against Syria and its people” and called for immediate UN action to enforce relevant resolutions, including the 1974 disengagement agreement following the 1973 Arab-Israeli War. Syria emphasized that Israel has repeatedly breached its sovereignty through air strikes, ground incursions, reconnaissance flights, and arrests of Syrian citizens, while Syria has not retaliated aggressively.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric described the visit as “concerning, to say the least,” noting that UN Resolution 2799 emphasizes Syria’s full sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity.

At the Security Council meeting, Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, did not directly address the visit. Instead, he criticized Syria for allegedly failing to control militias and protect religious minorities, claiming that Israel requires evidence that Syria is moving away from extremism. Olabi responded by highlighting Israel’s more than 1,000 air strikes and 400 ground operations in Syria since Assad’s ouster, while stressing that Syria has sought diplomatic engagement and shown “zero signs of aggression” toward Israel.

The Israeli military recently renewed its presence in southern Syria, establishing a checkpoint in the Quneitra province. Syrian authorities warn that these incursions are “very dangerous” and increase regional tensions. Analysts note that while Syria and Israel are negotiating a potential security pact, Netanyahu’s visit underscores the continuing mistrust between the two nations and Israel’s strategic efforts to assert influence in southern Syria.

The situation highlights the delicate balance in the region, where longstanding disputes over territory, sovereignty, and security continue to shape interactions between Israel and Syria.