Damascus decries Israeli defence chief’s visit to occupied buffer zone

The Syrian Foreign Ministry has strongly condemned the visit of Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz to a buffer zone in Syrian territory, labeling it a "clear provocation." The ministry's statement was issued following Katz's visit, which occurred two days after a meeting in Jordan between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Israeli intelligence chief Roman Gofman.

The ministry firmly stated that the visit was in flagrant violation of Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and constituted a breach of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement between Syria and Israel. The agreement, which Damascus claims Israel has violated since the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime in late 2024, saw Israel declare the agreement null and void, seizing control of the buffer zone and other areas, including the Syrian side of Mount Hermon.

Since then, Israel has conducted frequent incursions into southern Syria, arresting residents and setting up military checkpoints in the provinces of Daraa and Quneitra. The ministry has urged the international community to take action against Israel for its repeated violations, demanding that it cease its actions and withdraw from occupied Syrian territory.