Satellite imagery shows the IDF constructing facilities within the demilitarized buffer zone separating Golan Heights from Syria. This activity contradicts the 1974 ceasefire agreement, which restricts military operations in this area. The IDF claims these actions are necessary for regional security, while analysts express concern over the implications for the ceasefire and increased regional hostilities.
Recent satellite imagery indicates ongoing construction by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) within the demilitarized buffer zone that separates the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Syria. This construction site is located more than 600 meters inside the designated Area of Separation (AoS), where the IDF is traditionally prohibited from operating as per the 1974 ceasefire agreement.
The IDF has acknowledged the imagery, asserting that its operations in southern Syria are necessary to protect residents of northern Israel. Satellite images from January 21 reveal significant activity, including the presence of structures and construction vehicles in the area. Lower-resolution images suggest that the construction has progressed since the beginning of the year.
Newly constructed pathways leading from the site into Israeli territory have also been detected, indicating an expansion of military infrastructure. Drone images shared by local sources corroborate the presence of vehicles and heavy machinery. Military analyst Jeremy Binnie remarked that the observed structures appear to be prefabricated guard posts, suggesting a longer-term military presence is planned for the region.
This recent buildup follows previous instances of IDF activity in the buffer zone, including trench construction along the Alpha Line. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has recently ordered his forces to operate within the AoS, asserting Israel’s commitment to prevent hostile forces from establishing a presence at the border. The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force has described these actions as severe violations of the ceasefire agreement with Syria.
The demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria was established following the 1974 ceasefire agreement, which intended to reduce tensions and prevent conflict in the region. The Area of Separation (AoS) was designated to limit military presence and restrict activities that could lead to escalation. Despite this agreement, recent developments indicate increased military construction by the IDF, which raises concerns about the stability of the ceasefire and the potential for renewed hostilities in this sensitive region.
The Israeli military’s ongoing construction within the buffer zone raises significant questions about the future of the ceasefire agreement with Syria and the implications for regional security. The IDF’s actions, justified as necessary for homeland security, are viewed by many as violations of the established ceasefire terms. As tensions persist, the stability of the buffer zone remains precarious, inviting further international scrutiny.
Original Source: www.bbc.co.uk
