Israel extends military presence in Golan Heights buffer zone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that Israeli troops will continue to occupy a newly seized buffer zone in Syria for the foreseeable future.

His statement, delivered on December 17 while visiting Mount Hermon, comes despite international calls for Israel to withdraw from the recently captured territory, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

The move is seen as an extension of Israel’s longstanding efforts to secure its borders in the region. The occupied positions on Mount Hermon were seized by Israeli forces following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria earlier this month.

Israeli troops moved into a demilitarized zone between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, a strategic area that Israel captured during the 1967 Six-Day War. Although Israeli officials initially described the action as a temporary measure to ensure the security of Israel’s borders, no timeline has been provided for a potential withdrawal.

Netanyahu’s comments came during a tour of the mountain, known as Jabel Sheikh in Syria, where he reflected on the significance of the area. "We are holding this assessment in order to decide on the deployment of the IDF in this important place until another arrangement is found that ensures Israel’s security," he said. He also noted that his past patrols on the mountain had underscored its growing importance to Israel's national security, especially in light of recent developments in Syria.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz had already ordered troops to prepare to stay on Mount Hermon through the winter, signalling that the occupation may last longer than initially expected. Netanyahu’s statements were made in the context of wider regional developments, including ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a ceasefire deal in Gaza.

The territorial dispute between Israel and Syria over the Golan Heights remains a point of contention, with most international actors regarding the area as occupied. Despite this, Israel has continued to solidify its presence in the region, including expanding settlements in the part of the Golan Heights under its control.

The timing of Israel’s actions in Syria coincides with renewed efforts to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, in Gaza. CIA Director William Burns was recently reported to have met with the Qatari Prime Minister in Doha, where talks on a ceasefire-for-hostages deal have gained momentum.

However, while some officials suggest progress is being made, others warn that key issues remain unresolved, including the number and identity of hostages to be released and the terms under which Palestinian prisoners might be freed in exchange.

The negotiations, which have gained urgency after weeks of intense fighting in Gaza, have been complicated by differing perspectives on the terms of a ceasefire. A Palestinian official close to the talks indicated that Israel’s introduction of new conditions had caused some friction with Hamas, which is reportedly concerned about the durability of any deal under the administration of President Joe Biden.

Hamas has expressed fears that an agreement made under the Biden administration might collapse with the inauguration of former President Donald Trump on January 20, potentially leading to renewed Israeli military operations in Gaza.

The current round of talks follows a breakthrough in November 2023, when a weeklong truce resulted in the release of 105 hostages. Despite this, several rounds of negotiations have failed to replicate that success, with key differences still hindering the possibility of a durable ceasefire. Israel believes that 96 of the 251 hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7, 2023, attacks remain in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 captives.

By Aghakazim Guliyev