Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent tour of the demilitarized buffer zone in southern Syria has drawn sharp criticism from the United Nations and Syrian authorities, who describe the visit as a blatant violation of Syrian sovereignty and international agreements.

UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric called on Israel and all parties to respect the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, warning that such provocations risk escalating tensions along an already fragile frontier.

Speaking to reporters in New York, Dujarric referenced UN Security Council Resolution 2799, which underscores the importance of protecting Syria’s territorial integrity, and noted that Deputy UN Special Envoy for Syria Najat Rochdi had raised concerns with the Syrian foreign ministry regarding the incident. Rochdi described Netanyahu’s visit as “inconsistent with Security Council guidance” and urged all actors to honor established agreements. The Syrian Foreign Ministry also condemned the visit, calling it an illegal intrusion and a violation of Syria’s sovereignty.

A Provocative Move Amid Regional Instability

Netanyahu’s visit comes after the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad government in late 2024, a development that has left southern Syria politically unstable. Syrian officials argue that Israel is exploiting this power vacuum to assert control over sensitive areas, sending a clear signal that it intends to disregard international norms.

Israel’s justification — protecting border communities from potential threats — has been criticized by analysts as a pretext for aggressive expansion. Southern Syria has long been targeted by Israeli operations, including over 1,000 airstrikes and 400 cross-border raids since December 2024, which Syrian authorities say have devastated farmland, forested areas, and civilian livelihoods.

The IDF confirmed that Netanyahu toured the area with top Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, and IDF Chief-of-Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Zamir, framing the visit as a security measure. Critics, however, see it as a deliberate act of intimidation and a challenge to international law.

Impact on Civilians and Regional Stability

Local communities report heightened Israeli patrols, checkpoints, and engineering units operating deep inside Syrian territory. Syrian officials argue that such measures further inflame tensions and disrupt daily life for civilians in the area.

The UN has warned that these provocations occur at a time when Syria is already navigating significant political uncertainty, calling on Israel to halt unilateral actions that undermine regional stability. Diplomats note that Netanyahu’s visit risks escalating a conflict-prone area, undermining decades-old agreements designed to prevent confrontation along the Golan frontier.

A Clear Violation of International Norms

Experts and Syrian authorities stress that Netanyahu’s visit is not a security measure but a politically motivated intrusion, aimed at consolidating Israel’s control over disputed territories. UN officials continue to urge all parties to abide by the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, warning that failure to do so could spark miscalculations with far-reaching consequences.

Syrian officials have called on the international community to condemn Israel’s actions and ensure that its ongoing incursions into southern Syria do not go unchecked, framing Netanyahu’s visit as part of a pattern of provocative and illegal Israeli maneuvers in the region.

This latest episode underscores the fragile nature of southern Syria, where Israeli provocations, ongoing military operations, and diplomatic tensions threaten to destabilize a region already under considerable strain. (ILKHA)