Israel signals plans to control security in Syria buffer zone and Gaza
Mint Ahmedabad|December 19, 2024
Netanyahu and his defense minister visit strategic Mount Hermon peak in Syria
Anat Peled & Omar Abdel-Baqui

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his defense minister visited the Syrian buffer zone that Israeli troops seized after the fall of the Assad regime and said they would continue to hold it indefinitely. Israel's defense minister, Israel Katz, also signaled the country is planning to keep tighter and longer-term security control over the Gaza Strip. The moves indicated that Israel is taking advantage of its weakened neighbors to insulate itself better from possible threats.

Israel seized control of the 155-square-mile buffer zone in Syria after the Assad regime that had ruled the country for more than half a century collapsed just over a week ago. It also put troops on the peak of Mount Hermon. That high ground in the buffer zone offers a commanding view of strategically sensitive territory.

Katz, visiting the buffer zone and peak with Netanyahu on Tuesday, told soldiers to set up fortifications and prepare for an extended stay. He called the peak "the eyes of the state of Israel."

Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, the rebel leader who led the assault that ousted the Assad regime, said in an interview Monday that there was no justification for Israel's military to have troops inside Syria. Katz called the rebels extremists and said they needed to be deterred.

Israel's move into the buffer zone—created by a 1974 agreement between Israel and Syria that designated United Nations peacekeepers to be stationed there—was condemned by the U.N. and other countries including France, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt and Jordan. They called it a violation of international law that threatened Syria's territorial integrity. Israel has said the agreement was void after Syrian soldiers abandoned their posts as the regime collapsed.

Signs that Israel is preparing for an indefinite presence in the Gaza Strip continued to grow, as Katz said the military would maintain security control over the enclave just as it does in the occupied West Bank.

This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Mint Ahmedabad.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the December 19, 2024 edition of Mint Ahmedabad.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM MINT AHMEDABADView All
Mint Ahmedabad

At long last, the UK is shooting for the moon on clean energy

An ambitious plan revives hope but it will be a race against time

time-read
3 mins  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

Rupee's managed float: Should RBI shift gear?

To Mint Street's credit, India resolved a macro trilemma in its own special way. Recalibrate it for a more market-priced rupee if the expected trade gains outweigh price-stability risks

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

Can we use today's geopolitical chaos to uplift India's economy?

Successful economies have geopolitics to thank but India may be letting its opportunity slip away

time-read
3 mins  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

What market taught investors in 2024

One of the top sectoral performers of the year 2024 has been pharma, which has maintained its post-covid momentum

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

FREELANCERS CAN AVOID HIDDEN FEES, MAXIMIZE EARNING

Being aware of payout options and financial solutions helps freelancers with smarter choices

time-read
2 mins  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

What you must know about rental agreements, registration process

According to the Registration Act, 1908, a rental agreement for less than 12 months need not be registered

time-read
4 mins  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

ISRO to study crop growth in space

Demonstration of seed germination in outer space, a robotic arm to catch tethered debris there, and testing of green propulsion systems are some of the experiments planned on the POEM-4—the fourth stage of Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) PSLV rocket that remains in orbit after launching a satellite.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

China says US is 'playing with fire' after latest aid for Taiwan

The Chinese government protested on Sunday the latest American announcements of military sales and assistance to Taiwan, warning the United States that it is \"playing with fire\".

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

Akasa to add more planes this fiscal

Akasa Air is in continuous discussions with Boeing on aircraft deliveries and expects to add a few more planes to its fleet in the current fiscal ending March 2025, the airline's chief Vinay Dube has said.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024
Mint Ahmedabad

IOC probes bribery allegation of US cos

State-owned Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has begun a probe into allegations of a US speciality chemicals firm bribing its officials 15 years ago to obtain contracts to supply catalysts, according to a company's regulatory filing.

time-read
1 min  |
December 23, 2024