Israel seized the area from Syria in the closing stages of the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed it in 1981. The move was not recognised internationally, although the US unilaterally did so in 2019.
After rebel forces overthrew the Assad regime in Syria, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) seized control of the buffer zone and moved into new positions in the Golan Heights, including the top of Mt Hermon.
The statement from Katz’s office said that “everything must be done to ensure the IDF’s readiness on site in order to allow the fighters to stay there in the severe weather conditions”.
Guterres said on Thursday that the 1974 agreement “remains in force” and condemned any actions inconsistent with it. He called on its parties to uphold their obligations, including “by ending all unauthorised presence in the area of separation”.
Guterres also said he was “particularly concerned” about the hundreds of Israeli airstrikes on several locations in Syria.
The IDF said its air force and navy conducted more than 350 strikes this week, targeting Syrian military assets.
Israel said it was acting to stop weapons falling “into the hands of extremists”.
Source link
