As the Syrian government rapidly collapsed under the attack of opposition forces and the country's political scene was in chaos, Israel did not sit still but quickly took advantage of the opportunity from this development.
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| Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu (far right) visits Mount Bental in the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights on December 8. (Source: Israeli Prime Minister's Office) |
On the afternoon of December 8, after 11 days of large-scale attacks by Syrian opposition fighters in many areas and quickly taking control, ending the rule of President Bashar al-Assad's government, at the same time, many places in the South of this Middle Eastern country were attacked by Israel.
During that time, Israel deployed forces to the demilitarized buffer zone - established after the signing of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement to end the Yom Kippur War (1973) - in southwestern Syria and several areas that Tel Aviv said were "necessary for defensive reasons".
Seize the opportunity
On December 7, as the war in Syria was reaching its climax, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar declared that his country would not intervene in the conflict in Syria, but expressed concern about violations of the 1974 United Nations-supervised ceasefire agreement between the two countries.
Because of these concerns, the Israeli military has added forces including infantry and air force, along with intelligence and surveillance networks to the demilitarized buffer zone to “strengthen defenses in the area and the preparation of forces for various scenarios.”
Immediately after the overthrow of President al-Assad's regime on December 8, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes on strategic sites in Syria, including the Kafr Sousa complex - which was allegedly used to manufacture missiles, the Mazzeh district in Damascus and the Khalkhala air base in southern Syria.
In the southernmost province of Suweida, Israel carried out six airstrikes on the main airbase, believed to house large missile batteries of the Syrian army.
On this very day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the 1974 agreement on the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria was no longer valid.
He noted that the developments in Syria are a new and very important opportunity for Israel. The leader ordered Israeli forces to enter the buffer zone between the two countries and take up positions to prevent other forces from occupying the entire area. He stressed that he would not allow any hostile forces to build bases near the border.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that, in accordance with a decision approved by the cabinet, he has directed the Israel Defense Forces to take control of the buffer zone and key positions to protect all Israeli communities on the Golan Heights.
On December 9, at a press conference in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Netanyahu declared that the Golan Heights, illegally occupied by Israel for nearly 60 years, will "forever" belong to this country.
Israel's Justification and America's Words
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| Map of the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel since 1967. (Source: Al Jazeera) |
Reuters news agency reported on December 9 that Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations Danny Danon affirmed to the Security Council (UNSC) that Israel only took "limited and temporary measures" in the demilitarized strip bordering Syria to counter any threats, especially to residents of the Golan Heights.
In a letter to the Security Council, Mr. Danon emphasized: “It is important to emphasize that Israel does not intervene in the ongoing conflict between Syrian armed groups; our actions are focused solely on our security mission.”
According to the diplomat , Israel remains committed to the framework of the 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement.
Regarding the US reaction, when asked whether it would call on its closest ally in the Middle East to withdraw its troops, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said that the agreement reached after the 1973 Yom Kippur War "included Israel withdrawing its troops to their previous positions."
“Israel has stated that these actions are temporary to protect their borders. These are not permanent actions and so ultimately the vision we are looking for is long-term stability between Israel and Syria and that means we support all parties in maintaining the 1974 disengagement agreement,” he noted.
However, US diplomatic officials refused to give a specific timetable, citing the rapidly changing situation on the ground in Syria.
International opposition
Israel has largely occupied the Golan Heights since 1967 and later unilaterally annexed the territory - a move not recognized by most of the international community.
In 1974, a buffer zone was established to separate areas under Israeli control from Syria under a disengagement agreement. Soon after, the United Nations Peacekeeping Force in the Golan Heights (UNDOF) was deployed to the buffer zone.
Faced with Israel's current public moves, on December 9, Syrian Ambassador to the UN Qusay al-Dahhak declared that this neighboring country must withdraw its troops from his country.
According to him, Israel must comply with UN Security Council resolutions and the 1974 agreement, according to which only UN forces can be stationed in the buffer zone in the Golan Heights.
On December 9, UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric also issued a statement saying that the Israeli army's move into the buffer zone on the edge of the Golan Heights and its presence at at least three points "constituted a violation" of the 1974 agreement.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry asserted that Israel's move constitutes "an occupation of Syrian land and a blatant violation of its sovereignty" and violates the 1974 agreement.
Egypt called on the UN Security Council and international forces to take a firm stance against Israeli attacks on Syria to ensure its sovereignty over all its territories.
Similarly, the Iraqi Foreign Ministry also issued a statement condemning Israel's move to occupy the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights and other nearby locations on the border with Syria, saying that "this action is a blatant violation of international law and relevant legitimate international resolutions."
Iraq stressed the importance of respecting Syria's sovereignty and protecting its stability, unity and territorial integrity, as well as the need to refrain from interfering in the internal affairs of this neighboring country.
Iraq also called on the international community, especially the UN Security Council, to take measures to end such violations.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/chop-thoi-co-khi-syria-hon-loan-israel-thanh-ngu-ong-dac-loi-o-cao-nguyen-golan-ra-tuyen-bo-chang-ne-nang-296827.html
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