Israel continues its incursions in Syria despite the prospect of a security deal

20th September 2025

2 minutes read

Israel continues its incursions in Syria despite the prospect of a security deal

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that Israeli forces have continued incursions into Syrian territory and set up checkpoints.

According to the London-based independent organization, an Israeli military unit entered the village of Maariya, in the Yarmouk Basin area of western Daraa, where it set up a temporary checkpoint at the eastern entrance of the village and stopped passersby for searches. Simultaneously, another Israeli force deployed towards the villages of Kouya and Abidin.

A patrol of five military vehicles also entered the village of Eastern Samdaniyah in the Quneitra province, establishing a checkpoint as Israeli soldiers deployed around the area, while drones hovered overhead.

These incursions are part of a series of repeated Israeli violations and attacks inside Syrian territory.

Last Thursday, the Israeli army entered the town of Qoudneh in Quneitra province, southern Syria, sparking concerns among local residents about possible displacement from areas surrounding Eastern Tall al-Ahmar.

Syrian media reports indicated that a patrol of 15 military vehicles, accompanied by a bulldozer, carried out excavation and land clearing operations in agricultural fields in that strategic zone.

A local correspondent reported that earthworks and the building of embankments were taking place in Eastern Tall al-Ahmar, alongside Israeli patrols near Qoudneh.

These developments come as Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa stated on Friday that “reaching a security agreement with Israel is inevitable, although Israel’s commitment to such an agreement remains doubtful.”

According to him, U.S.-mediated negotiations with Israel are nearing conclusion, with a deal that could be signed within days, similar to the 1974 disengagement agreement, though he stressed that this “does not imply normalization of relations.”

Israel has submitted a draft agreement to Damascus, and both sides are engaged in discussions to establish a security framework.

Separately, a Syrian Foreign Ministry source told AFP that Damascus and Tel Aviv are expected to conclude “sequential agreements” by the end of the year, primarily security and military in nature.

The proposed agreement would replace the 1974 disengagement accord, deemed irrelevant after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and Israel’s occupation of the buffer zone on the Syrian side.

Modeled on Israel’s 1979 peace treaty with Egypt, the Israeli proposal calls for a wide demilitarized zone and a no-fly zone on Syrian territory, without altering anything on the Israeli side of the border.

The southwest Damascus area would be divided into three zones, each allowing Syria different levels of military presence and weaponry. In the strip adjacent to the Israeli border, no military forces or heavy weapons would be permitted, though Syrian police and internal security would be allowed.

A senior Israeli official noted that Israel insists on retaining a military presence on Mount Hermon, considered strategically vital, in any future agreement.

According to an informed source, the Israeli proposal is designed to maintain an aerial corridor to Iran through Syria, potentially enabling Israel to conduct future airstrikes against Iranian targets.