# Israeli invasion of Syria (2024–present)

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On 8 December 2024, Israel invaded the buffer zone in southwestern Syria adjacent to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, and carried out an aerial campaign targeting the Syrian Army's military capabilities, following the fall of the Assad regime.
Israel took advantage of the power vacuum created by the fall of Assad to increase the amount of territory it controlled by several hundred square miles. Israel declared that the 1974 border agreement with Syria to be void. Israel initially said this new invasion would be "temporary", but later said it would hold onto the territory for an "unlimited time". Israel also launched extensive aerial and naval strikes on Syrian military targets across the country, under an operation codenamed Operation Arrow of Bashan (Hebrew: מבצע חץ הבשן, romanized: Mivtza Ḥetz HaBashan). Israel's campaign destroyed Syria's military capabilities, including its navy, as well as chemical weapons stockpiles.
Israel's campaign in Syria was internationally condemned as an act of aggression and as a violation of international law. Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa criticized Israel's actions but also stated that his country was not in a position to be drawn into a new conflict.
On 25 February 2025, Israel escalated its invasion of southern Syria while conducting a wave of airstrikes there and in Damascus, one day after demanding the Syrian transitional government demilitarize southern Syria.

## Background

Since the Six-Day War in 1967, Israel has occupied most of the Golan Heights region of Syria. After the Yom Kippur War in 1973, Israel and Syria agreed to a ceasefire which created the UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which maintains a small buffer zone between the two countries. In 1981, Israel annexed the region, a move condemned by the United Nations and unrecognized by any country except the United States (recognized 2019). During its occupation, Israel has promoted Israeli settlement in the Heights.
In November 2024, the United Nations accused Israel of violating the 1974 Disengagement Agreement in November with engineering work and battle tanks inside the demilitarized zone. UNDOF stated it had "repeatedly engaged with the IDF to protest the construction." Israel responded that it was "working to establish a barrier on Israeli territory exclusively in order to thwart a possible terrorist invasion and protect the security of Israel's borders," and that "Israeli and IDF officials maintain close contact with UN officials who are familiar with the threats in the region."
In December 2024, the Syrian opposition launched a major offensive against the Bashar al-Assad led Syrian regime. Following the fall of the Assad regime, Israeli Minister of Diaspora Affairs and Combating Antisemitism Amichai Chikli expressed apprehension at the opposition forces' political upheaval of the Syrian government, claiming that: "Most of Syria is now under the control of al-Qaeda and Daesh." He implored Israel to re-fortify its defensive line at Mount Hermon in Israeli-occupied Golan Heights based on 1974 borders in order to prevent potential attacks by the new regime.
The collective of Druze community leaders in Syria condemned the invasion. The newly formed Suwayda Military Council stated they were committed to integration into the Syrian Army, however stated that they supported the demilitarization of southern Syria. The Sheikh al-Karama Forces, a Druze military organization affiliated with the FSA condemned the invasion as a violation of Syria's sovereignty and stated they would work with opposition forces. Sheikh al-Karama Forces had issued a joint statement with the Al-Jabal Brigade in January 2025 emphasizing that it was prepared to integrate into a united "military body" in southern Syria.

## Israeli objectives

On 9 December 2024, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued orders for military objectives in southern Syria. The IDF received four primary strategic objectives from Defense Minister Katz to conduct "in the immediate term":
* To secure complete control over the buffer zone and other nearby strategic positions in Syria.
* To establish a security zone extending beyond the buffer zone, focusing on removing all heavy weaponry and terrorist infrastructure that could post a threat to Israel, while establishing contact with local Druze communities and other regional communities.
* To immediately prevent the reestablishment of Iranian arms smuggling routes to Lebanon through Syrian territory and border crossings.
* To continue destroying strategic heavy weapons systems throughout Syria, including air defense networks, missile systems, and coastal defense installations.
Israel has also stated its demands for all Syrian territory south of Damascus to be demilitarized, including the governerates of Quneitra, Daraa and Suwayda that it would not tolerate threats against the Druze in southern Syria.

## Events
### Ground offensive

Following the advance of the Syrian opposition in the south, Israel reinforced Division 210 and deployed additional troops to the Golan Heights to prevent any possible threats. When Syrian opposition forces first occupied the southern town of Hader, it was reported that the IDF had advanced further into the Golan Heights to repel an attack on a United Nations post in the area. Additionally, the IDF significantly reinforced its presence within the established buffer zone.

#### 2024

On 8 December 2024, Israeli Army Radio reported that Israeli armored units, including main battle tanks, crossed the established border fence in the Golan Heights during early morning operations. Israeli Army Radio stated that the IDF and Northern Command initiated the operation in order to strengthen its "border" with Syria.
The military advance extended into the Quneitra Governorate, with substantial forces entering the town of Khan Arnabah. Syrian media reported that Israeli forces had advanced into the city center of al-Salam. Following the advance into the Quneitra Governorate and the Syrian-controlled side of Mount Hermon by the Israeli Special Forces Shaldag Unit (Unit 5101), Netanyahu issued a statement saying that the 1974 ceasefire agreement had collapsed when Syrian soldiers abandoned their posts in the Golan Heights, and that the area was to be temporarily occupied to "ensure that no hostile force embeds itself next to the border of Israel." During the takeover, IDF spokesman Avichay Adraee announced a curfew in five Syrian villages, including Quneitra, ordering locals of the border towns to remain inside "until further notice." On 8 December 2024, Al Arabiya reported that Israel had taken control of Tell al-Hara. On 10 December correspondents for Al Jazeera and Enab Baladi reported Israeli tanks in several Syrian villages such as Beer Ajam. Although Israeli tanks were also reported as far as Qatana, 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Damascus an IDF spokesman insisted that "IDF forces are not advancing towards Damascus. This is not something we are doing or pursuing in any way" while acknowledging that, beyond the buffer zone, "a few additional points" had been seized. The Israeli Defense Minister also stated that Israel aims to establish a "sterile defence zone" in southern Syria to "prevent the establishment and organisation of terror in Syria".
On 11 December, orthodox Chabad Jews printed the Tanya, a central Chabad religious text, from a light truck on Syrian land, at the base of Mount Hermon, a short distance to the east of the purple line.
On 12 December, Syrian residents of Hader, Hamidiya, and Umm Batna in Quneitra Governorate were displaced from their homes after the IDF entered with military vehicles, with Israeli troops subsequently probing Umm Batna in its entirety.
From 12 to 13 December, Syrian sources reported that Israeli forces conducted formal meetings with local community representatives in the Yarmouk Basin area in southwestern Daraa Governorate, reportedly using loudspeakers and a low-flying drone to broadcast messages urging meetings and requirements. The Israeli military reportedly articulated specific security requirements for the local population, including the surrender of all weapons in the village, compliance with home search operations, and the prohibition of armed resistance against any military operations. Syrian sources also claimed that Israeli troops used loudspeakers to warn villagers in the area to evacuate their residences.
On 15 December Israel attempted to depopulate several Syrian villages in the newly occupied part of the Golan Heights. After the residents declined, Israel began destroying the electricity and water networks in the villages to attempt to forcibly evict them. The Israeli government also declared that it would expand Israel settlements in the Golan Heights. Netanyahu announced plans to double the Golan Heights' population in a statement on the 15th, saying Israel would continue to hold onto it and that "Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel."
On 17 December, Netanyahu met with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Chief of the General Staff Herzi Halevi, commander of the Northern Command Ori Gordin, and Shin Bet head Ronen Bar on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, where they held a security briefing and visited outposts at the summit. During a video statement filmed on the summit, Netanyahu said that the IDF would stay in Syria "until another solution ensuring Israel's security is found".
On 18 December, it was reported that over 100 Syrian families had been forcibly expelled from the Golan Heights by the Israeli military. Witnesses describe that Israeli soldiers had opened fire on them and on their homes. The United Nations peacekeepers have been removing Israeli flags in the newly occupied area.
On 19 December, it was reported that the Israeli military is preventing Syrian farmers in Ma'ariya from accessing their fields.
On 20 December, the Israeli military occupied two addition Syrian villages, Jamlah and Maaraba, and then shot bullets at Syrians protesting the Israeli occupation.
On 25 December, the Israeli military shot at protesters in the Syrian villages of Suweisa and Diwaya Al-Kabira in the Quneitra Governorate.
On 30 December, Israeli forces advanced into Madinat al-Baath and searched the local administrative offices.

#### 2025

On 9 January, Israeli officials said that they are going to occupy for "the long run" a 15 km "zone of control" and 60 km "sphere of influence" deeper into Syria.
On 31 January, Israeli troops clashed with five pro-Assad Syrian rebels in Trinjeh. The Jerusalem Post reported that The Islamic Resistance Front in Syria was responsible for the attack, but the Syrian Popular Resistance claimed responsibility, claiming that multiple Israeli soldiers were wounded and vehicles were damaged. The IDF said that it suffered no casualties.
On 2 February, the IDF near Jubata al-Khashab and surrounding villages established outposts and military bases with calls for more Israeli settlement into the Golan Heights by Israeli officials.
On 11 February, Israeli Army Radio reported that Israel would prolong the occupation of their newly invaded territory in Syria throughout 2025.
On 23 February, the IDF confirmed that it had built at least nine army posts in Syria, including two on Mount Hermon and seven on the buffer zone.
On 25 February, the IDF completed raids southern Rif Dimashq, in the villages of Al-Kiswa, and Daraa, in the vicinity of the city of Izra and penetrating the outskirts of Al-Bakar village, and penetrated the administrative borders between the governorates of Daraa and Quneitra in southern Syria and the Ain al-Bayda area in the countryside of Quneitra in southern Syria, also taking the villages of Sidon Al-Golan and Sidon Al-Hanout in the countryside of Quneitra. This came after plans to install advanced military technology, border fencing, and checkpoints in the borders of Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria.
On 27 February, the SSNP's Islamic Resistance Front in Syria began forming military cells in Southern Syria, likely with Iranian backing.
On 1 March, Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz ordered the IDF to prepare to defend the Druze community in Jaramana following clashes between Syrian security forces and a local group called the "Jaramana Shield" brigade that left one Syrian soldier dead.
On 8 March, the IDF announced that it carried out several raids in southern Syria the week prior, capturing and destroying weapons.
On 19 March 2025, Israel launched its largest incursion yet, capturing the village of Al-Adnaniyah in the countryside of Quneitra Governorate.

### Airstrikes
#### 2024

On 8 December 2024, the Israeli Air Force conducted targeted operations against weapons storage facilities, which Israel considered strategic threats, across southern Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of opposition forces. Israeli officials claimed that the targets included small stockpiles of chemical weapons, mainly mustard gas and VX gas, radar-equipped batteries, vehicles of Russian-made air defense missiles, and stockpiles of Scud missiles. The White Helmets reported that: "there was no evidence of unusual toxic fumes during the extinguishing of the fire, and no cases of suffocation were observed among civilians" Israel also reportedly launched airstrikes on Syrian intelligence and customs headquarters, with explosions reported at their locations in Damascus. Later, Israel also heavily shelled Mezzeh Air Base.
In the early hours of 9 December 2024, Israel conducted several airstrikes across the Daraa and Suwayda Governorates in southern Syria. Six airstrikes were reported at an airbase north of Suwayda, while multiple others targeted ammo depots in Nawa and the Daraa countryside. By evening, the Israeli Air Force and Navy had struck naval assets in the Port of Latakia, and an alleged chemical weapons production center in Barzeh, and Qamishli Airport in northern Syria. These roughly 200 airstrikes, including strikes on Damascus, Daraa, Latakia, and Hama, destroyed dozens of fighter jets and helicopters in the first phase and the entire Syrian naval fleet in the second. An Israeli senior official said airstrikes "would persist in the coming days".
In the morning of 10 December, photographs revealed sunken Osa-class missile boats in the Port of Latakia after overnight Israeli strikes. The IDF announced that its air force and navy conducted over 480 strikes in Syria in the span of 48 hours, 350 of which targeted airfields, anti-aircraft batteries, missiles, drones, fighter jets, tanks, and weapon production sites, destroying between 70% and 80% of Syria's strategic weapons. It added that 15 naval vessels were destroyed in strikes on Minet el-Beida and Latakia. Overnight on 16 December, Israel struck radar and air defense systems in Tartous and Damascus, with the strikes on Tartous using notably heavy munitions. In the eight days since the fall of the Assad government, Israel struck Syria around 600 times. Al Jazeera correspondent Resul Serdar said that "Israel is pursuing a strategy of diminishing this country's air defence capability and also its air forces." A senior Israeli security source described it as the "largest air operation carried out by its air force in its history". A former rebel commander claimed that they will "need decades to rebuild a national Syrian army". A Turkish newspaper report alleged that Assad gave information about Syrian military sites to Israel in exchange for safe passage out of the country.
On 29 December 11 people, mostly civilians, were killed in what is believed to be an Israeli airstrike on a former Syrian Army weapons depot in Adra, near Damascus.

#### 2025

On 15 January, the Israeli Air Force struck a Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham vehicle convoy in Quneitra Governorate, killing two HTS personnel and the mayor of a local village. It was the first time that Israel has targeted HTS forces since the fall of the Assad regime.
On 25 February, Syria condemned Israel's occupation of Syrian lands at its national dialogue and demanded Israel's withdrawal. Hours later, Israel conducted a wave of airstrikes in Damascus and southern Syria, one day after it demanded the Syrian transitional government demilitarize in Quneitra, Daraa, and Suwayda. At least two people were killed southwest of Damascus.
On 10 March, the IDF said that it conducted airstrikes on radar systems, detection equipment, and military sites and headquarters storing weapons and equipment in Daraa Governorate. It deployed 22 fighter jets in the strikes, which dropped over 60 munitions on dozens of sites. Syrian sources reported strikes in Izra and Jabab on military sites that belonged to the 12th Brigade and the 89th Battalion of the Syrian Army under Assad.
On 13 March, the IDF struck the home of Palestinian Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah in Dummar, which it said served as a PIJ headquarters. Although the home was empty, one person was reportedly killed in the strike.
On 17 March, the IDF said that it conducted strikes on command centers and military posts that contained weapons and vehicles belonging to the Assad regime in southern Syria. The Syrian Arab News Agency reported that two people were killed and 19 others were injured in a strike in Daraa.

## Reactions
### Involved parties

* Israel: Israel's government said it was conducting a temporary military operation, that the United States had been notified prior to going in, and that the State of Israel "does not interfere in the domestic conflict within Syria". The IDF said that they "may end up staying there for the foreseeable future". Yair Lapid, the Leader of the Opposition, supported the operation but criticized Netanyahu's management, saying: "I would not have gone to the border to make provocative statements to the press and put us in conflict with the new Syrian government." On 11 February 2025, Israeli Army Radio reported that the IDF's presence in Syria would be prolonged throughout 2025. On 23 February 2025, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu demanded the complete demilitarization of southern Syria in the provinces of Quneitra, Daraa and Suweyda, and the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Syrian territory south of Damascus. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Israeli forces would remain in southern Syria "for an indefinite period of time to protect our communities and thwart any threat."
* Syria: Syrian de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa declared that they are committed to the 1974 agreement and that they do not want any conflict whether with Israel or any other country. He also stated that they will not let Syria to be used to attack other countries such as Israel. Syria's UN ambassador Qusay al-Dahhak called on the UN Security Council to compel Israel to immediately cease its attacks and withdraw to the Purple Line (ceasefire line). al-Sharaa criticized Israel's actions, saying they cannot justify their recent actions in Syria, but also stating that his country was not in a position to be drawn into a new conflict.

### International

* Arab League: The Arab League condemned "attempts to expand occupation in the Golan Heights or to unilaterally nullify the 1974 disengagement agreement, actions that flagrantly violate international law."
* Egypt: Egypt condemned Israel for "exploiting Syria's current instability to expand its occupation and impose a new fait accompli, a clear violation of international law."
* France: The Foreign ministry asked Israel "to withdraw from the zone and to respect Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity", describing the military deployment as a violation of the 1974 agreement.
* Iran: The Foreign Ministry spokesman said that "This aggression is a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter," and "We demand an immediate response from the UN Security Council to stop the aggression and hold the occupation regime accountable."
* Iraq: The Foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the Israeli attacks on Syria as an "action [that] is a blatant violation of international law and relevant international resolutions" and called on the UN Security Council to "fulfill its responsibilities by condemning this blatant aggression and taking necessary measures to end these violations."
* Jordan: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi condemned the move, stating that "it violates international law". On 26 February 2025, King Abdullah II of Jordan condemned Israeli attacks on Syria.
* Pakistan: The spokesperson for the Foreign office asserted that the move was a serious violation of international law and a dangerous development in an already volatile region. and also expressed full support for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity and called for immediate international action to end Israel's violations.
* Qatar: Qatar condemned the Israeli incursion, which it considered "a dangerous development; a blatant attack on the sovereignty and unity of Syria; and a flagrant violation of international law."
* Saudi Arabia: The Foreign ministry denounced Israel's activities, stating that it will "ruin Syria's chance of restoring its security."
* Turkey: President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said that "I say it clearly that the path the Israeli government insists on and obstinately maintains is, in fact, not a true path. Security cannot be achieved by spilling more blood, by dropping more bombs on innocent civilians. This applies not only to Gaza and Palestine, but also to Syria." The foreign ministry strongly condemned Israel's entry into the buffer zone between Israel and Syria and its advance into Syrian territory. The ministry also added that Israel's actions showed an "occupation mentality", especially at a critical time when peace and stability in Syria were on the way. Turkey reiterated its support for the Syria's sovereignty, political unity and territorial integrity.
* United Nations: Secretary-General Antonio Guterres's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said that Israel expanding its occupation was a violation of the 1974 agreement. On 10 December, Dujarric stated that: "We're against these types of attacks. I think this is a turning point for Syria. It should not be used by its neighbors to encroach on the territory of Syria." On 20 February, UN envoy Geir Pedersen stated that: "the Israelis need to withdraw".
* United Arab Emirates: The foreign ministry condemned Israel occupying the buffer zone.
* United States: State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said that "Every country has the right to take action against terrorist organizations and every country, I think, would be worried about a possible vacuum that could be filled by terrorist organizations on its border," stating that the Israeli incursion "is a temporary action that they have taken in response to actions by the Syrian military to withdraw from that area." U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that "The stated purpose of those actions by the Israelis is to try to make sure that the military equipment that's been abandoned by the Syrian army doesn't fall into the wrong hands – terrorists, extremists, et cetera. But we'll be talking – we're already talking – to Israel, we're talking to others, about the way ahead".

## Other

On December 18, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised that he would not strike the area near the prison where Tice might be held. His mother had sent him a letter two days earlier, urging him to halt Israel’s airstrikes in Syria to enable the search for him to continue.

## Analysis

In an interview to Al Jazeera, Robert Geist Pinfold – lecturer in International Peace and Security at Durham University – opined, "The Golan Heights is supposed to be a buffer zone to protect the rest of Israel. So now what Israel is doing is basically arguing that it needs a buffer zone, to protect its buffer zone, that's protecting the rest of Israel, and you have to wonder where does all this end." Residents of the region expressed similar comments, saying that they're not sure how long Israel will stay, especially if they plan to keep the borders quiet "by force." Others agreed that the future is uncertain, given that the situation has "changed completely." Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert disagreed, saying that Israel has "enough problems to deal with", and questioned the idea of expanding the buffer zone further.