Israel launches military incursion into Syria amid UN condemnation

What the report says

Al Jazeera reported that Israeli forces carried out a new military move into southwestern Syria on Sunday, as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres visited Damascus and criticized breaches of Syrian sovereignty. Citing Syria’s state news agency SANA, the report said Israeli troops moved toward villages, established a checkpoint at Al-Ardah, and dropped leaflets warning residents not to block Israeli vehicles. Shelling was also heard in the area, according to the same account.

Guterres, meeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa during the first visit by a UN chief to Syria since 2009, said Israel must respect Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. He also said violations of the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement were unacceptable, and that the UN would submit a broader report on the matter to the Security Council at the end of the month. The UN Disengagement Observer Force has monitored the buffer zone between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria since 1974.

The Al Jazeera report said Israel has increased incursions since Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024, including taking control of the UN-monitored buffer zone and conducting raids, searches and checkpoints deeper inside Syria. Israeli officials have described their presence in southern Syria as a “security zone.” Syria’s foreign minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, called for Israel to withdraw, while al-Sharaa said Damascus was pursuing a security arrangement with Israel without giving up Syria’s claim to the occupied Golan Heights.

Guterres also urged the removal of sanctions imposed during the Assad era, saying Syria had a chance to rebuild after 13 years of war. Al Jazeera cited a World Bank estimate putting reconstruction needs at $216bn.