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The Golan Heights, located in the southwest of Syria and adjacent to Israel, Lebanon, and Jordan, spans approximately 1,000 square miles (or 40 miles from Damascus). This region is of considerable geopolitical importance and has been a contentious issue for many years.
Israeli forces have maintained control over the Golan Heights since the 1980s, recently extending their presence into the demilitarized zone in light of developments related to Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria.
Israeli troops have moved into areas beyond the designated buffer zone, with Defence Minister Israel Katz emphasizing the intent to establish a “sterile defence zone” in southern Syria, though he affirmed that Israeli forces would not maintain a permanent position. Previous assertions by Israel denied reports from Syrian sources alleging breaches of the buffer.
During a recent press briefing in Jerusalem, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated that control over this strategically vital high ground is crucial for Israel’s security and sovereignty, stating unequivocally that “the Golan will be part of the State of Israel for eternity.”
In light of security concerns following the changes in Syria, the Israeli cabinet unanimously approved Netanyahu’s initiative to allocate $11 million (£8.7 million) aimed at expanding the population in the Golan Heights.
The funds are earmarked for various developments, including educational programs, renewable energy projects, the creation of a student village, and plans to accommodate new residents. This initiative has faced widespread criticism from regional actors and the UN, primarily due to its implications for regional stability.
The Historical Context of Israeli Presence in the Golan Heights
The Golan Heights came under Israeli control during the Six-Day War in 1967, which ensued between Israel and several Arab nations. As a consequence of the conflict, many Syrian residents fled, and Israel subsequently established military oversight in the region. The influx of settlers into the Golan Heights began almost immediately afterward.
Following fourteen years of military governance, which included a failed Syrian attempt to regain control in 1973, Israel and Syria signed an armistice in 1974. A United Nations observer force has been monitoring the ceasefire line since then. In 1981, Israel took the step of unilaterally annexing the Golan Heights.
The UN Security Council responded by passing resolution 497, which determined that the annexation was invalid and reaffirmed the territory’s status as occupied. Decades later, the global consensus remains largely against the Israeli claim, with the exception of the United States, which recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights during Trump’s presidency in 2019.
Defence Minister Israel Katz asserted that military actions in the Golan are intended to safeguard Israeli citizens. Israel has communicated to the UN Security Council that its actions in the Golan are necessary and limited in scope to address security threats.
Regional leaders, including those from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Turkey, have publicly condemned this military expansion.
Reports citing Syrian sources suggested that Israeli troops have encroached well beyond the Golan Heights, reportedly coming within 25 kilometers of Damascus. However, these claims were strongly denied by Israeli officials, who cited that their operations remained confined to the buffer zone.
The Strategic Significance of the Golan Heights
Currently, approximately 23,000 Druze residents, identifying predominantly as Arab, coexist with around 30 Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights. Following a commitment made in 2021, Israel aims to double the Jewish settler population in the region within five years, with plans for 7,300 new housing units to accommodate an additional 23,000 settlers.
The Golan Heights offers strategic military advantages; during the period of Syrian control from 1948 to 1967, the area was leveraged to launch attacks against northern Israel. The elevated terrain provides comprehensive surveillance of southern Syria, thereby complicating any military activities by the Syrian army against Israel.
Moreover, the region is not only ripe with fertile land but also serves as a crucial water source for both Israel and the surrounding arid regions.
Efforts have periodically surfaced from the Syrian regime regarding a potential peace agreement with Israel, which would demand a complete Israeli withdrawal to pre-1967 boundaries alongside the dismantling of all Israeli settlements in the Golan Heights.
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