Israel deploys tanks into southern Syria near Quneitra

Israeli tanks have been observed maneuvering near the former governor's office in Quneitra, southern Syria, amid an intensification of military activity in the region. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported increased presence of helicopters, reconnaissance aircraft, and fighter jets in both Quneitra and the neighboring Daraa province.

Damascus has condemned these operations as a “flagrant violation” of Syrian sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning that such incursions threaten national stability and hinder reconstruction efforts. The Syrian government has called on the international community to pressure Israel to respect international law and United Nations resolutions.

Since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in December 2024, Israeli forces have conducted repeated incursions into southern Syria. Israel has declared the 1974 disengagement agreement invalid and has deployed forces into the former buffer zone. However, the United Nations maintains that the 1974 agreement remains in effect, with the mandate for UN Disengagement Observer Force extended through the end of 2026.