Israeli forces raid Syria’s Quneitra countryside, set up temporary checkpoints

Israeli forces raided two areas in the Quneitra countryside in southern Syria on Saturday, setting up temporary checkpoints and searching civilians before withdrawing.

“An Israeli occupation force consisting of three military vehicles advanced along the Al-Kasarat Road in the northern Quneitra countryside, set up a temporary checkpoint and searched passersby before later withdrawing toward the Jubata al-Khashab forest,” the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) said.

Israeli forces also entered the village of al-Mashirfa in northern Quneitra, where they established another temporary checkpoint, searched civilians, and then withdrew from the area, the agency added.

There was no immediate comment from Syrian authorities on the incursions amid ongoing violations of the territory.

The developments come days after Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said in an interview with Anadolu that negotiations with Israel have not reached a dead end but remain “extremely difficult” due to Israel’s insistence on maintaining a presence in Syrian territory.

Israeli operations in southern Syria have intensified in recent months, with near-daily reports of raids, home searches, checkpoint installations, and arrests of civilians, including children and shepherds.

Following the ouster of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, 2024, Israel declared the 1974 disengagement agreement void and moved into the Syrian buffer zone.

Despite the new Syrian administration not issuing threats against Israel, Israeli forces have continued airstrikes in Syria, which have killed civilians and destroyed military sites, vehicles, and ammunition.

* Writing by Mohammad Sio