The collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime has plunged Syria into turmoil, with Israel taking advantage of the power vacuum to advance its territorial ambitions. Amid the instability, Israel has expanded its presence in the Golan Heights, occupying a 400-square-kilometer area in the demilitarized buffer zone established by the United Nations in 1974. This zone, intended to prevent conflict between Israel and Syria, is now under Israeli military control.
Israel claims its actions are necessary to secure its northern border, but critics, including Egypt’s Foreign Ministry, have condemned the occupation as a violation of international law and a calculated attempt to exploit Syria’s disarray. The Golan Heights, annexed by Israel in 1981 after being seized during the 1967 Six-Day War, remains internationally unrecognized as Israeli territory.
In addition to territorial expansion, Israel has escalated its military campaign in Syria, conducting over 100 airstrikes on military targets in recent weeks. These strikes have reportedly killed at least 68 people, including Syrian soldiers and foreign fighters. While Israel asserts it is targeting extremist groups, analysts suggest its actions are aimed at consolidating control over strategic areas, particularly in southern Syria.
Israel’s actions in Syria come amid its broader military campaigns, including the devastating conflict in Gaza, which has claimed over 44,700 lives since October last year. The violence has drawn international condemnation, with the International Criminal Court issuing arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Meanwhile, the International Court of Justice is reviewing genocide allegations against Israel for its actions in Gaza, as Amnesty International and other organizations continue to document alleged human rights abuses. The escalating crises in Syria, Gaza, and Lebanon highlight the deepening regional instability fueled by Israel’s military interventions and territorial ambitions.
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