HRW accuses Israel forces of displacing south Syria residents

On September 17, Human Rights Watch accused Israeli forces of forcibly displacing residents of southern Syria, whose demilitarisation Israel demands as part of a new security agreement with Syria.

The HRW’s statement quoted an Israeli military as saying their operations in southern Syria are "to protect the citizens of the State of Israel" and "in accordance with international law," Arab News informs.

The announcement came after Syrian state media reported that Israeli forces had captured several people in the south, and a day after Damascus said it was working with Washington to reach mutual "security agreements" with Israel.

"Israeli forces occupying parts of southern Syria since December 2024 have committed a series of abuses against residents, including forced displacement, which constitutes a war crime," HRW said in a statement.

Since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar Assad on December 8, Israel deployed troops to an UN-patrolled buffer zone on the Golan Heights separating the two countries. Despite ongoing talks with interim Syrian authorities, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes and incursions deeper into southern Syria.

HRW added that Israeli forces have seized and demolished homes, blocked residents from their property and livelihoods, and arbitrarily detained people, transferring some to Israel. The watchdog based its findings on interviews, imagery reviews, and satellite analysis.

By Khagan Isayev