UN States Israeli Construction in Syria Buffer Zone Violates Ceasefire

The United Nations has stated that Israeli building activities within a demilitarised buffer zone bordering Syria constitute “severe violations” of a ceasefire agreement established five decades ago. These activities, the UN indicates, could escalate tensions along the shared boundary in the occupied Golan Heights. Satellite imagery reveals the excavation of new trenches and earth berms over recent months, extending across the entire span of the Area of Separation (AoS). The BBC has documented construction operations occurring adjacent to a military vehicle close to the town of Majdal Shams, as well as recent earthworks in agricultural territory further to the south. It is understood that the work at both sites is situated within territories under Israeli control. The UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) reports that the majority of Israeli construction does not infringe upon the AoS. However, UNDOF notes that certain trenches, excavated with the protection of military vehicles, including tanks, do extend into the zone, and that Israeli army vehicles and personnel have also penetrated the buffer zone. Below the observation tower at UNDOF’s Camp Ziouani base, the Israeli barrier meanders towards a range of volcanic peaks; a Syrian flag waves among the trees past the outpost, indicating the opposite side of the separation zone. UNDOF personnel continuously observe the 80km (50-mile) stretch of land around the clock. Bernard Lee, the Chief of Mission, informed the BBC that two primary trench lines had been excavated, in addition to three smaller ones, each approximately 6m (20 ft) in width. He estimated that trenches extended into the AoS at a few points, by a few metres in each instance, but clarified that he had not personally inspected these locations. UNDOF could not promptly provide visual documentation of the alleged incursions, and authorization for the BBC to observe or record the sites from a nearby lookout point has not yet been given. Preliminary examinations of satellite imagery have not yielded sufficiently detailed pictures to independently corroborate the UN’s claims. The AoS was established in 1974 as part of Israel’s ceasefire accord with Syria, subsequent to Israel’s prior occupation of the Golan Heights. Israeli military units are mandated to remain west of the designated Alpha Line, whereas Syrian forces are obliged to stay east of the Bravo Line, which parallels the opposite boundary of the AoS. Israel unilaterally annexed the Golan in 1981. This action lacked international recognition, though the US unilaterally acknowledged it in 2019. Approximately 20,000 Syrians, predominantly Druze, who remained in the Golan after its capture, reside alongside Israeli settlers in the area. Notwithstanding the existence of Iran-backed militia factions in Syria, this border has largely stayed peaceful, even as Israeli ground troops have engaged Iranian allies in Gaza and Lebanon during the preceding 13 months. However, UNDOF issued a statement indicating that Syrian authorities had “strongly protested” the continuing Israeli activities. Furthermore, it noted that the UN itself had “repeatedly” conveyed its apprehensions regarding the Israeli violations to Israel’s military command. Lt Col Nadav Shoshani, a spokesman for the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF), informed the BBC that the trenches were intended to provide defence against infiltration by Iran-backed groups operating in Syria, and that they did not contravene the ceasefire agreement. He stated, “Israeli officials have been communicating with the UN about these issues,” adding, “And I can tell you that the IDF is operating on Israeli territory making sure that a terror invasion is not possible, making sure we are defending our borders.” The prospect of an unexpected invasion from Israel’s neighbouring countries has become a more significant concern in this region since the 7 October Hamas attacks. Bernard Lee commented, “Will [the trenches] stop what happened on 7 October? Yes,” and further, “Could you get a pick-up truck over it? No.” Nevertheless, the defensive structures being erected along this border do not mitigate the more immediate danger posed by drones and missiles, which are routinely launched by Iranian militia groups in Syria and Iraq and are frequently intercepted by Israeli forces. Furthermore, they do not alleviate Israel’s apprehensions regarding Syria serving as an “oxygen line” for Iran to traffic weaponry to its Lebanese associate, Hezbollah. Mr. Lee mentioned that commercial smugglers already utilize the AoS for illicitly transporting cigarettes and electronics between Syria and Lebanon. He also noted that a new patrol road, constructed by the UN, is inadvertently facilitating these activities. He explained, “They come over the mountain, enter the area of separation with a trail of pack horses, eight at a time, with two armed guys,” adding, “They unload the pack horses and a pick-up truck meets them at our road: we’ve motorized the smuggling business.” When questioned about the potential use of the same route for transporting weapons from Syria into Lebanon, he responded: “That is what the IDF are concerned about.” Israel has also highlighted what it describes as “daily” infringements by Syria along the demilitarized border. In May, Israel’s ambassador to the UN sent a letter to the secretary-general to lodge a complaint about Syrian violations, specifically mentioning “armed presence in the area of separation” which “only heighten tensions in our already volatile region”. Iran-backed militia groups in the vicinity also pose a concern for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s government, following years of civil conflict. The regime has seemingly been reluctant to become embroiled in the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, notwithstanding regular Israeli airstrikes within Syria aimed at Hezbollah and Iranian sites and arms deliveries. Wafik Farhat, a Syrian hotel proprietor in the occupied Golan Heights, remarked, “The situation is frightening.” He added, “Our eyes are looking more to the sky than to the plants. There’s fear here.” Farhat’s eco-lodge, featuring yurt lodging encircled by orchards, overlooks lines of recently dug trenches along the buffer zone. He stated, “It gives us a sense of security.” He continued, “We can sleep in peace, because there’s someone taking care of the border and not letting terrorists cross towards us.” Israel is currently engaged in conflict with Iranian allies—Hamas and Hezbollah—along two of its borders. However, over a year into this regional dispute, tensions are also emerging along its previously most tranquil frontier. Further reporting was contributed by Charlotte Scarr and Ed Habershon. Verification efforts were carried out by Richard Irvine-Brown and Benedict Garman. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding their policy on external linking is available.