Israeli forces launch new incursion into Syria’s Quneitra countryside, raid homes

By Omar Alothmani

ISTANBUL (AA) – Israeli forces entered the village of Ain Zivan in the southern countryside of Quneitra province on Wednesday and raided several homes, local media reported.

“An occupation force stormed the village, searched multiple houses, and set up a checkpoint on its outskirts, where troops searched passersby and disrupted movement,” Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported.

The agency also reported that Israeli forces entered the village of Sayda al-Golan in the southern Quneitra countryside and arrested a young man, without specifying details.

Damascus has repeatedly affirmed its commitment to the 1974 disengagement agreement between the two sides. Tel Aviv announced unilaterally that it was canceling the agreement after the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime on Dec. 8, 2024.

Recent Israeli actions have included ground incursions, artillery shelling—particularly in the countryside of Quneitra and Daraa in southern Syria—arrests of civilians, the establishment of checkpoints to search and question residents, and the destruction of crops.

The reported incursions come despite the announcement on Jan. 6 of the formation of a contact mechanism between Syria and Israel, under US supervision, to coordinate information exchange, reduce military escalation, promote diplomatic engagement, and explore trade opportunities.

Syrians say the continued Israeli actions limit their ability to restore stability and hinder government efforts to attract investment to improve economic conditions.

*Writing by Lina Altawell