SNHR Condemns Israel’s Intrusion Into Syrian Affairs, Attempts to Destabilize the Region, and Ongoing Aggression Against Syrian Sovergnity

The Hague – The Syrian Network for Human Rights (SNHR) today released a statement condemning Israel’s instruction in Syrian affairs, and its attempts to destabilize the region, and ongoing aggression against Syrian sovergnity. On February 23, 2025, Israeli occupation Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu published statements on his official X account calling for the withdrawal of Syrian forces from southern Syria and affirming that the Israeli occupation army would remain stationed in the Mount Hermon area and the buffer zone for an indefinite period under the pretext of protecting Israel’s security. He also claimed that there was a ‘new reality’ in southern Syria, stressing that Israel would not allow hostile forces to establish a presence in these areas, and stated, ‘We will not tolerate any threat against the Druze community in southern Syria.’

SNHR’s statement stresses that Netanyahu’s claims coincide with a series of grave violations committed by the Israeli occupation army in Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024, each of which has been documented by SNHR. Among the most notable of these violations have been Israeli incursions into the buffer zone and beyond, with the Israeli occupation army establishing no fewer than nine military bases in southern Syria, most of which are concentrated in Quneitra governorate, in addition to Suwayda and Daraa. These bases serve as launch points for Israeli military patrols heading to various areas inside Quneitra governorate.

The statement also outlines the most notable Israeli incursion operations between December 2024 and February 2025: Baath city (northern rural Quneitra), al-Hamidiya town (southern rural Quneitra), Swysa town (southern rural Quneitra), Jbata al-Khashab town (northern rural Quneitra), Al-M’allqa town (southern rural Quneitra), Tarnaja village (northern rural Quneitra), and al-Hurriya village (northern rural Quneitra).

The statement adds that, between December 2024 and February 25, 2025, Israeli violations in Quneitra governorate have escalated, including military incursions, arrests, and the bulldozing of land to establish new military positions. There have  been repeated arrests of civilians, who were subsequently released, as well as the pursuit of journalists covering the events on the ground. Popular protests led to civilian injuries due to the use of rubber bullets by Israeli occupation forces. On February 20, 2025, SNHR released a statement condemning the detention of a Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) ambulance crew by Israeli occupation forces in Quneitra on February 15, 2025. SNHR had previously released a similar statement on January 10, 2025, regarding the Israeli army’s detention and assault of a French journalist and a Syrian lawyer in the same area.

As the statement further reveals, other Israeli violations included artillery attacks targeting areas in southern Syria with the aim of intimidating and forcibly displacing residents. Israeli occupation forces have carried out several artillery attacks as part of a deliberate policy aimed at intimidating local residents, forcibly displacing them, and imposing a new security reality that serves Israeli interests in the region. SNHR has documented multiple instances of these recurring attacks through its official platforms.

Furthermore, the statement notes that violations also include destruction of Syrian air and naval capabilities through large-scale attacks. Israeli occupation forces have launched over 500 attacks on various strategic targets inside Syria, striking military installations and arms depots. These attacks have targeted military airports and military naval ports.

Moreover, Israeli occupation air force aircraft have carried out provocative overflights over southern Syria, where they have recently intensified their flights, using illuminating bombs at night, leading to mass fear among civilians and increasing levels of psychological pressure on the local population. This behavior is part of a systematic Israeli strategy aimed at negatively affecting the social and political fabric of the region.

SNHR’s statement stresses that Israeli incursion in southern Syria constitutes a blatant violation of international law, as established by several binding international treaties and conventions. The following legal foundations demonstrate that this intervention is a clear breach of the international legal system

1. Violation of the United Nations Charter
2. Breach of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement
3. Violation of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949)
4. Breach of UN Security Council Resolutions
5. Misuse of the minority protection justification enshrined in the ‘Responsibility to Protect’ (R2P) Principle
6. Violation of international humanitarian law (IHL) and the Rome Statute (1998)

Finally, SNHR’s statement sets out a number of recommendations to the international community in light of these egregious and blatant violations of international law:

1. Urgent intervention by the United Nations Security Council

• The UNSC must issue an official resolution condemning Israel’s unilateral military incursion in southern Syria.
• Emphasize the necessity of respecting Syria’s sovereignty in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter.

2. Launch an independent international investigation

• The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic (COI) should conduct an inquiry into Israeli violations and include them in its upcoming report on Syria, covering:
• Israeli human rights violations in southern Syria.
• Forced displacement operations and unlawful military expansion.

3. Impose sanctions on Israel

• Diplomatic sanctions: Freeze bilateral relations with countries supporting Israeli intervention.
• Economic sanctions: Impose restrictions on exports and imports related to Israel’s military industries.

4. Invoke international judicial procedures

• Prosecute Israeli officials involved in these crimes at the International Criminal Court (ICC) on charges of
• Committing war crimes.
• Violating international humanitarian law.

5. Strengthen international diplomatic pressure

• Urge countries supporting Israel to cease their military and political support.
• Launch international campaigns through non-governmental organizations to raise awareness of Israeli violations.

6. Provide humanitarian aid to affected areas

• Enhance urgent humanitarian assistance to areas impacted by Israeli incursions.
• Supply food and medical aid to those forcibly displaced due to Israeli military operations.