In a significant development for Middle Eastern geopolitics, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday the collapse of the 1974 UN-monitored Disengagement Agreement. This historic accord had established a demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria, aimed at maintaining peace and preventing conflict along the Syrian border.
The announcement was made during Netanyahu's visit to Mount Bental in the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, a strategic vantage point overlooking the Syrian border. Accompanied by Defense Minister Israel Katz, Netanyahu emphasized the gravity of the situation, linking the collapse to the broader regional instability.
\"The fall of Bashar al-Assad's government has triggered a chain reaction across the Middle East,\" Netanyahu stated. He highlighted that this collapse presents \"new and very significant opportunities for Israel,\" while also cautioning about the potential risks emanating from the power vacuum.
In response to the deteriorating security situation, Netanyahu has ordered Israeli forces to enter the buffer zone and assume positions to prevent hostile entities from gaining a foothold. \"We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border,\" he declared, signaling a clear message to groups like Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leading rebel advances in Syria.
Netanyahu pledged that Israel will closely monitor the unfolding developments and take all necessary measures to protect its borders and ensure national security. He also expressed optimism for fostering \"a policy of good neighborliness\" with Syria, despite the current tensions.
Defense Minister Katz echoed these sentiments, stating that he has instructed the Israel Defense Forces, with cabinet approval, to \"take control of the buffer zone and key vantage points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan Heights, both Jewish and Druze, so that they will not be exposed to threats from the other side.\"
Since engaging in conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon last October, Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Syria, targeting militias and activities affiliated with Iran and Hezbollah. These military actions underscore Israel's commitment to safeguarding its interests and maintaining stability in the region.
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Israeli PM: 1974 UN-monitored Disengagement Agreement defunct
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