Israeli Forces Step Up Operations In Southern Syria: Monitoring Group | World News

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israeli attacks on southern Syria have increased in recent weeks, with more than 30 attacks recorded in the first half of November.

Israeli troops have penetrated the ground, detained civilians and soldiers, bulldozed roads and farmland and set up temporary military checkpoints in Quneitra and Daraa provinces, the UK-based monitoring group said on Saturday. The agency described the activity as an “unprecedented escalation” and said it occurred “without any official response” from Damascus, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Observatory said the raids and daily violations underlined “growing security challenges along the southern border”, where Israeli forces have increased their presence since late 2024.

Israel warned that southern Syria should not become “another southern Lebanon” and threatened “painful blows” against armed groups or Syrian forces approaching the border. By mid-2025, the Israel Defense Forces had established at least nine permanent outposts in Syrian territory and established a 15-kilometer “zone of control”.

Following the clashes in the Druze-majority Sweida province, Israeli attacks and raids intensified in July. Israel said it would continue “strong operations” until “perceived threats” were neutralized.

Although the United Nations has condemned Egypt and Türkiye for the violation of Syrian sovereignty, Israeli officials maintain that their actions are defensive and say Syrian authorities do not have full control over the south.