Anadolu Ajansi
GENEVA – The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has stated that Israel’s occupation of the Golan Heights buffer zone violates the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria.
During a press briefing at the UN Geneva Office, Pedersen confirmed reports of Israeli incursions into the buffer zone, following inquiries by Anadolu Agency. “The message from New York is the same: what we’re seeing is a violation of the 1974 agreement,” he said, adding that the UN will continue to monitor the situation closely.
Over the weekend, the Israeli army entered the buffer zone in Golan Heights under orders from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz. Netanyahu described the occupation as “temporary,” while the Israeli army released footage of soldiers and armored vehicles stationed in the area.
Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since the 1967 Middle East war and formally annexed it in 1981—a move unrecognized by the international community. The 1974 agreement delineated the buffer zone and established a demilitarized area.
The UN continues to call for adherence to the disengagement agreement, emphasizing the need for restraint and respect for international law in the region.