Though the Israel Defense Forces said their capture of Syrian side of the buffer zone in Golan Heights is a "defensive and temporary" step, the military clarified that they might not withdraw from the territory in the near future.
IDF has captured the strategic Mount Hermon along the buffer zone amid chaos in Syria after rebels overthrew the Bashar al-Assad regime. This comes as Defence Minister Israel Katz ordered IDF to secure the border to ward off potential advance of the rebels. IDF's 210th Bashan Regional Division is responsible for the Golan Heights.
However, Hezbollah-linked Al Mayadeen outlet reported that IDF crossed the buffer zone border and reached the outskirts of Damascus. The report alleged that the Israeli tanks advanced beyond the Qunaitra town in the buffer zone and halted near Qatana, a city which is around 21 km from Damascus. It claimed that IDF also entered several villages on the outskirts of Damascus.
What is the buffer zone between Israel and Syria?
Following the Yom Kippur War in 1974, Israel and Syria inked the Agreement on Disengagement to establish a buffer zone on their border. The 235 square kilometre buffer zone is a demilitarised area that includes the strategic Mount Hermon.
Though IDF has entered the buffer zone briefly several times in the past, this is the first time in 50 years that it has deployed forces in the area. Israel took over the buffer zone, saying they were carrying out defensive operations to prevent threats.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the IDF is acting first and foremost to protect their border, pointing out that the 1974 agreement has collapsed after the Syrian soldiers abandoned their positions. He clarified that the IDF has no plans to operate beyond the buffer zone.