The Israeli government has announced plans to expand settlements in the occupied Golan Heights following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described the move as essential to secure the region amid shifting dynamics along Israel’s border with Syria.
Netanyahu revealed plans to double the population of the Golan Heights, a strategic territory seized by Israel during the 1967 Six-Day War. The area, which is home to around 20,000 Israeli settlers and an equal number of Druze Arabs, is considered illegally occupied under international law—a designation Israel disputes.
In a statement on Sunday, Netanyahu said:
“We will continue to hold on to [the Golan Heights], make it flourish, and settle it.”
Despite recent tensions, he added that Israel has “no interest in a conflict with Syria” but will base its policies on the evolving realities on the ground.
Following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government and the rise of an Islamist-led rebel alliance, Israeli forces moved into a buffer zone separating the Golan Heights from Syria. This action reflects Israel’s concern over the potential instability posed by the new leadership in Damascus.
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have also conducted more than 450 air strikes in Syria since December, targeting military installations to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands.
The decision to expand settlements has drawn criticism from various quarters:
- Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert questioned the move, stating:
“We have enough problems to deal with. Expanding settlements contradicts our aim of avoiding confrontation with Syria.” - International Opposition: Settlements in the Golan Heights are widely regarded as illegal under international law, further fueling regional tensions.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, the new de-facto leader of Syria and head of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has condemned Israeli air strikes, calling them a violation of “red lines.” However, he also emphasized that Syria is not seeking conflict due to the country’s “war-weary condition” after years of civil war.
Al-Sharaa’s remarks came as HTS continues efforts to form a transitional government following the ousting of Assad, who fled to Russia with his family.
The developments in the Golan Heights are part of a larger geopolitical shift in the region:
- Turkey’s Support for Syria’s New Government: Turkey’s Defense Minister Yasar Guler expressed willingness to support Syria’s new administration under HTS, stating that it was “necessary to give them a chance.”
- US Engagement with HTS: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken confirmed direct contact with HTS, despite the group being designated as a terrorist organization.
- Calls to Lift Sanctions on Syria: UN Syria envoy Geir Pedersen called for an end to sanctions to help rebuild the country’s economy, highlighting the urgent need for international support.
Netanyahu’s plan to expand settlements is likely to face significant international scrutiny and further inflame tensions in the already volatile region. While Israel insists on holding and developing the territory, critics argue that such moves could undermine peace efforts and exacerbate regional instability.
Israel’s decision to expand settlements in the Golan Heights highlights the ongoing challenges of balancing security concerns with the realities of international law and diplomacy. As the region adjusts to the post-Assad landscape, the actions of key players, including Israel, Syria’s new leadership, and international powers, will shape the future of this critical area.
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