Israel has directed its forces to establish a “sterile defence zone” in southern Syria with no permanent Israeli presence, as it strengthens its control along the line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, announced Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday (December 10, 2024).
Although he did not provide specific details, he mentioned that the zone would aim to “prevent the establishment and organization of terror in Syria”.
“We will not tolerate this, we will not permit any threats to the state of Israel,” he stated after visiting a naval base in Haifa, northern Israel.
Earlier reports stated that Israeli troops were present in the demilitarized buffer zone in Syrian territory established after the 1973 Arab-Israeli war, along with “a few additional points” outside the separation area.
Syrian sources claims incursion by Israeli army
However, a military spokesperson denied any significant penetration into Syrian territory beyond the zone, refuting Syrian claims that the incursion had reached within 25 km (15 miles) of Damascus.
Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani, the military spokesperson, clarified at a press briefing, “IDF forces are not advancing towards Damascus. This is not something we are doing or pursuing in any way.”
Israeli jets have conducted multiple strikes across Syria to prevent Syrian military equipment, including combat aircraft, missiles, and chemical weapons, from falling into rebel hands.
As part of these strikes, Katz mentioned that Israeli missile ships had destroyed the Syrian military fleet in an operation on Monday night. The air force reportedly carried out numerous strikes, aiming to safeguard Israeli borders and citizens.
Fall of Assad government
The departure of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marked the end of his family’s decades-long rule.
Following this, Israeli troops entered the demilitarized zone inside Syria, including the Syrian side of Mount Hermon overlooking Damascus, where they took control of an abandoned Syrian military post.
Israel described the incursion as a temporary measure to ensure border security, although the extent of their presence beyond the designated buffer zone remained uncertain.
Three security sources indicated that Israeli forces had advanced beyond the demilitarized zone, with one Syrian source mentioning their presence in the town of Qatana, located several kilometers east of the zone and in close proximity to Damascus airport.
Israel cautiously welcomed Assad’s fall, an ally of Iran, but expressed concerns about the leading rebel faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which has ties to extremist Islamic movements.
Israeli leaders stressed that they will intervene whenever they perceive a threat to Israel’s security, maintaining a stance of non-confrontation with Syria but prepared to act if necessary.
“We will not allow an extremist Islamic terrorist entity to act against Israel across its border,” affirmed Katz.
Published – December 11, 2024 03:37 am IST
