Israeli forces to remain in Syria-Lebanon border area, says defence minister

Syria has strongly condemned Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz's entry into its territory, labelling it as a violation of its sovereignty and demanding an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces. In a statement from Damascus, the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted that crossing the international border represents a breach of international law and the United Nations Charter.

The ministry emphasized that such actions contradict the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, which obliges respect for ceasefire lines and prohibits their crossing. Syria deemed the minister's visit to Syrian territory "illegitimate" and reaffirmed its opposition to hostile actions involving the crossing of international borders. The country urged the global community to fulfill its legal and political duties and implement measures to stop Israeli authorities from perpetrating further violations.

Damascus further demanded the immediate and complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Syrian soil, a return to the disengagement line, and respect for Syria's sovereignty and territorial integrity.