Israel Issues Strong Warnings to Syrian Factions Amid Escalating Tensions

As Syrian factions make significant advances in the ongoing conflict, Israel has issued strong warnings regarding violations of the 1974 ceasefire agreement between Israel and Syria. The IDF's Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar both cautioned Syrian factions against breaching the existing separation of forces agreement, following recent actions that have heightened tensions along the Israeli-Syrian border.

On Saturday, Sa'ar warned that armed forces had crossed into the buffer zone, carrying out attacks on UN peacekeeping forces in the area. This movement and the rapid advances made by Syrian factions, including the seizure of the Syrian Golan and the encirclement of Damascus, have raised concerns about the potential for further violations of the ceasefire.

Israel has expressed significant concern over these violations, as they pose a direct threat to its security, particularly for communities located in the Golan Heights. Despite this, Sa’ar emphasized that Israel does not intend to intervene in Syria's internal conflict but will take necessary measures to protect its borders.

Lt.-Gen. Halevi, who conducted a situational assessment with the IDF’s 210th Division on the Syrian border, stated that any further violations would be met with an "offensive response." He reassured the public that while Israel’s primary focus remains on monitoring Iranian activities in the region, it would continue to monitor developments closely and respond decisively to any threats posed by local factions.

The IDF’s preparedness for both offensive and defensive action highlights Israel's readiness to ensure its security, while stressing that its actions will be guided by the principle of deterrence, aiming to prevent any mistakes or aggressive actions directed toward its territory.