​​​​​​ISTANBUL

The Israeli army assaulted two children during an incursion near the village of Bariqa in Syria’s central Quneitra countryside on Friday, according to Alikhbariah TV.

The report said an Israeli military patrol attacked the minors while they were herding livestock in the area and took one head of sheep during the operation in the southwest.

There was no comment from the Israeli army on the incident.

Israeli forces have been carrying out near-daily incursions into Syrian territory, particularly in the Quneitra countryside, detaining civilians, setting up checkpoints, questioning those passing through and destroying farmland.

The incursions come despite the Jan. 6 announcement of the formation of a contact mechanism between Syria and Israel, under US supervision, to coordinate information exchange, reduce military escalation, promote diplomatic engagement and explore trade opportunities.

Damascus has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to a 1974 disengagement agreement between the two sides. Tel Aviv announced unilaterally that it was canceling the agreement after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, 2024.

Syrians say the Israeli actions limit their ability to restore stability and hinder government efforts to attract investment to improve economic conditions.