Israeli occupation forces continue their incursion deep into Syrian territory from the south, reaching today, Tuesday, December 10, deeper positions than those they reached on Monday.
Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Quneitra reported that Israeli tanks have moved towards the town of al-Ba’ath, reaching the provincial government building, with one tank stationed at the building and another at the al-Jisr (bridge) checkpoint. The road towards al-Hamidiyah is closed, but residents are allowed to move in and out.
In northern Quneitra, Israeli tanks advance and then retreat in what resembles patrols, without establishing any posts.
On Monday, Israel intensified its military presence, with warplanes flying over southern Syria, targeting military positions including a radar battalion east of Nahteh, an air defense battalion near Ibtaa, Brigade 112 near Izraa, and Brigade 32 in the city of Daraa, as reported by Enab Baladi’s correspondent in Daraa.
Following reports from various Arab media about the arrival of Israeli forces in the rural area of Damascus, Israeli army spokesperson Avichai Adraee denied these claims. He stated via “X” that reports suggesting the advancement or approach of Israeli forces towards Damascus are completely untrue, explaining that the Israeli army is situated within the buffer zone and at “defensive” positions near the border to “protect the Israeli borders.”
On Monday night, Adraee published a video and photos showing the entrance of the 210th Division of the Israeli army into the buffer zone within Syria to enhance border protection. He noted that this division has begun proactive operations aimed at “ensuring the safety of the residents of the Golan Heights” amid internal developments in Syria.
The Israeli army spokesperson also shared photos on Monday, claiming they were from a raid on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.
According to the Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar reported that the Israeli army attacked the remaining capabilities of chemical weapons and long-range missile capabilities. The minister asserted that discussions are ongoing between Israeli officials and parties in Syria, stating, “Of course, we have contacts with the Kurds and Druze in Syria.”
Last Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the occupation of the buffer zone with Syria and military command sites inside Syrian territory. The Israeli army spokesperson also issued a warning to residents of several villages and towns in Quneitra to stay indoors, stating that the residents in the villages and towns of Ufaniyah, Quneitra, al-Hamidiyah, al-Samadaniyah al-Gharbiyah, and al-Qahṭaniyah in southern Syria should remain at home for their safety.
This escalation by Israel in Syria comes in conjunction with the fall of the regime of the ousted Bashar al-Assad last Sunday.