Netanyahu extends Israeli military reach into Syrian territory
The Prime Minister of Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu, announced that Israeli troops would occupy a buffer zone in Syria "for the foreseeable future." This marks the first time an incumbent leader of Israel has extended military presence so deeply into Syrian territory.
The decision to occupy the buffer zone has met with significant criticism. Opponents accuse Israel of violating the 1974 ceasefire and exploiting the chaos in Syria to take over new territories.
Despite conducting military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, Israel has decided to take control of additional areas in Syria.
According to Palestinian doctors, an Israeli attack on the Gaza Strip resulted in the death of at least eight members of one family, including women and children. The international organization Doctors Without Borders reported the closure of the emergency room in southern Gaza due to the threat posed by Israeli military actions.
Background of the conflict
Israel initiated military operations in the Gaza Strip in response to a Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which killed over 1,200 people and led to the abduction of 250 more. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli bombings in the Gaza Strip over the past 14 months have resulted in the deaths of over 45,000 Palestinians, with more than half being women and children.
