Israel Assists UN Peacekeepers in Repelling Attack in Golan Heights
UN Peacekeepers Report Armed Individuals in Buffer Zone
The Israeli army said Saturday that its troops were assisting UN peacekeepers in the Golan Heights in repelling an attack "by armed individuals", while the foreign minister said "armed forces" had entered the UN-patrolled buffer zone.
UNDOF Confirms Armed Individuals in Area
The UN force, UNDOF, confirmed its personnel observed "unidentified armed individuals in the area of separation, including approximately 20 who went into one of the mission’s positions in the northern part of the area of separation", a spokesperson for UN Peacekeeping told AFP. "The inviolability of UN premises must be respected at all times."
Israeli Army Assists in Repelling Attack
The Israeli army said "an attack was carried out by armed individuals at a UN post in the Hader area in Syria," the army said in a statement, referring to a Syrian town on the edge of the buffer zone. "The (Israeli army) is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack."
Foreign Minister Comments on Situation
Late on Saturday, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar posted on X: "During the last day, armed forces entered the buffer zone on the Syrian side of the border with Israel. Among other things, attacks were carried out on the (peacekeepers) in the area." He said Israel was "troubled by violations" of the 1974 armistice with Syria. "Israel does not intervene in the internal conflict in Syria," he added.
Syrian Rebels Take Control of Provincial Capital
Earlier on Saturday, Syrian rebels took control of the provincial capital of Quneitra around 12 kilometres (eight miles) south of Hader, Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.
Military Chief Visits Syrian Border
The military said army chief Herzi Halevi visited the Syrian border on Saturday. He too underlined that Israel was not intervening in Syria. He said Israel’s "primary focus is on observing Iran’s movements and interests" while a "secondary focus" was on Syrian factions and "ensuring they do not mistakenly direct their actions towards us."
UNDOF’s History in Golan Heights
UNDOF has patrolled a buffer zone between the Israeli- and Syrian-controlled zones since 1974. In August 2014, Islamist rebels attacked UNDOF and took more than 40 Fijian peacekeepers hostage, holding them captive for almost two weeks.
Conclusion
The situation in the Golan Heights remains tense, with the Israeli army assisting UN peacekeepers in repelling an attack by armed individuals. The Israeli government has reiterated its commitment to not intervening in the internal conflict in Syria, while emphasizing its focus on observing Iran’s movements and interests.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the current situation in the Golan Heights?
The Israeli army is assisting UN peacekeepers in repelling an attack by armed individuals in the Golan Heights. - What is the significance of the 1974 armistice?
The 1974 armistice is a key agreement between Israel and Syria, which established a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. - What is the role of UNDOF in the Golan Heights?
UNDOF has patrolled a buffer zone between the Israeli- and Syrian-controlled zones since 1974, with a mission to maintain peace and security in the region.