TEHRAN — Israeli media outlets have confirmed that the Israeli military has extended its occupation of Syrian territory, now controlling over 370 square kilometers of land. This expansion means that Israel has seized more Syrian territory than the densely populated Gaza Strip, though the area remains largely uninhabited.
Reports on the ground indicated that Israeli infantry forces were advancing in certain neighborhoods of the city of Hader in Quneitra province, located in southwestern Syria. Israeli news channel i24 NEWS reported that Israeli ground forces had destroyed Syrian military sites and infrastructure in southern Syria, with operations approved at the highest levels of command. The channel stated that the operation was carried out with the help of armored battalions and infantry units.
Israeli military correspondent Yinon Shalom Yitah noted that the operation targeted Syrian military infrastructure discovered in the area. This move comes as Israel continues its territorial expansion in Syria, following previous occupations such as Jabal Sheikh (Mount Hermon) and the buffer zone in the Golan Heights.
Israel’s occupation forces are now reportedly only 15 kilometers from the international highway connecting Damascus and Beirut. They have also seized control of some of the most critical freshwater sources in southern Syria, along the Yarmouk River. For decades, these basins have been vital for providing sanitized water to many Syrian households and businesses.
The Israeli military has continued its attacks on Syria’s military positions, aiming to degrade Syria’s defense capabilities. Recently, Israel claimed to have “severely damaged” Syria’s air defense systems, destroying more than 90% of the country’s strategic surface-to-air missiles.
In addition to these airstrikes, Israeli ground forces have expanded their occupation into southern Syria, capturing more villages along the Lebanese border. Reports indicate that Israel has deployed engineering equipment to the slopes of Mount Hermon to dig trenches and prevent any potential connections with Lebanese territories. This area, referred to as the “gap,” served as a key supply route for Hezbollah before 2011 and has been a focal point during recent Israeli operations.
While Hezbollah has shifted from relying on land routes to using drones to evade Israeli air defense systems, analysts suggest that Israel’s operations in the region are driven by more than just a desire to sever supply lines. Experts believe Israel’s actions in Syria, including its continued occupation of the Golan Heights, are part of a broader strategy to annex more Syrian territory under the guise of security concerns.
In a further move to solidify its control, the Israeli government recently decided to double the number of illegal settlers in the occupied Golan Heights, signaling its ongoing intention to extend its occupation. The pretexts offered by Israel for these actions, such as disrupting Hezbollah’s supply routes, are widely viewed as mere excuses to seize more Syrian land.
