Israeli forces incurred into Syria's Quneitra region and fired flares, causing fires in the town of Al-Rafid. Local civil defense teams have since extinguished the blazes. These incursions follow a pattern of Israeli military activity in the area, including demolitions and detentions.
The ongoing incursions and alleged actions by Israeli forces in Syria's Quneitra province raise concerns about civilian safety, human rights, and regional stability, particularly amid ongoing security talks between the two nations.
Israeli forces incurred into Syria's Quneitra region and fired flares, causing fires in the town of Al-Rafid, according to the Quneitra Media Directorate. Local civil defense teams have since extinguished the blazes.
Since 2024, Israeli military vehicles have frequently pushed into villages in Quneitra and western Daraa, conducting house raids and detaining local civilians. On July 27, the Israeli army detained a civilian after raiding his home in Quneitra province.
Residents accuse Israeli troops of demolitions, detentions, and forced displacement. Mohammed al-Ali, a resident of Hamidiya, stated that Israeli forces demolished his house and 15 others with a bulldozer. Hebrew graffiti has been found on the walls of the Quneitra provincial courthouse, which Israeli forces occupied for weeks.
Human Rights Watch has accused Israeli forces of forcibly displacing residents and arbitrarily detaining them, calling it a "war crime." Israel states its operations are aimed at preventing weapons from falling into the hands of Iran and its proxies. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has indicated that Israel is engaged in talks to establish a demilitarized zone in southern Syria.
Syrian forces have refrained from retaliating against Israeli attacks since December. The Syrian army has withdrawn heavy weapons from the area, and only internal security forces are present in Quneitra.