Israel Escalates Ground Incursions and Shelling Across Southern Syria
An Israeli patrol of three military vehicles advanced toward the entrance of the western village of Samadaniyah, setting up a checkpoint on the road connecting Rawadi and al-Ajraf.
Syria, PUREWILAYAH.COM - Israeli occupation forces carried out a new series of ground incursions and artillery attacks across southern Syria on Thursday, advancing into multiple areas in Quneitra and Daraa while establishing unauthorized military checkpoints inside sovereign Syrian territory, according to the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).
An Israeli patrol of three military vehicles advanced toward the entrance of the western village of Samadaniyah, setting up a checkpoint on the road connecting Rawadi and al-Ajraf.
Another three-vehicle patrol moved along the al-Mantara Dam road in Quneitra, part of what Syrian officials describe as an ongoing pattern of provocations in the region.
The IOF also shelled Tal Ahmar in southern Quneitra and the outskirts of Koya in western Daraa’s Yarmouk Basin, firing several artillery rounds into civilian-adjacent areas.
Earlier in the day, an Israeli patrol of four vehicles entered southern Quneitra and erected another checkpoint at the western Zubaida junction, where occupation soldiers inspected Syrian civilians passing through. Additional movements were reported in the eastern Samadaniyah and al-Ajraf villages.
Continuous Israeli Aggression Across Syria
The latest incursion forms part of a sustained campaign of Israeli violations, including drone strikes, cross-border raids, and the establishment of temporary military positions on Syrian land.
On December 3, Israeli airstrikes struck the Damascus countryside, coupled with additional incursions into Quneitra. Local sources confirmed that an Israeli drone launched three consecutive strikes on the road between Beit Jinn and Tell Bat al-Warda.
Beit Jinn has become a symbol of steadfast local resistance. On November 28, elite units from the 55th Paratroopers Brigade of the 98th Division raided the town, located just a few hundred meters from the UNDOF separation zone. Armed residents confronted the invading troops, forcing their withdrawal and leaving behind an Israeli Humvee.
The Israeli Air Force later bombed the abandoned vehicle. The raid and ensuing clashes left at least 20 Syrians dead and 25 injured. Israeli sources acknowledged that 13 Israeli soldiers were wounded during the failed operation.
Netanyahu Demands Demilitarized Zone Inside Syrian Territory
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu escalated political pressure on Damascus, stating on December 2 that any future negotiations with Syria would require the establishment of a vast demilitarized zone stretching from Damascus to the southern slopes of Mount Hermon — inside the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights.
Speaking during a hospital visit to soldiers injured in recent operations in Syria, Netanyahu argued that “Israel” views control of the area as vital for the safety of settlers and insisted that Syria must accept these conditions for any potential agreement.
He further claimed that “Israel” must maintain control over the approaches and summit of Mount Hermon — a position widely rejected by Syria and international law, which recognizes the Golan Heights as occupied Syrian land. (PW)