UN Warns Israel Committing ‘Severe Violations’ of Ceasefire with Syria

The United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) issued a statement today relating to the recent AP story about Israel carrying out military construction along the Alpha Line meant to restrict where Israel’s military can operate. The Alpha Line designates a DMZ zone between the Golan Heights and the rest of Syria.

The UNDOF warns that Israel is committing “severe violations” of the 1974 ceasefire with Syria by carrying out such a major construction project. While building a road along the DMZ, Israeli troops entered Syrian territory frequently. Interestingly, these severe violations are distinct from the almost daily Israeli airstrikes against Syria.

Under the terms of the ceasefire, Israel’s military is not to operate beyond the Alpha Line. There is also a Beta Line, which limits where the Syrian military can operate. The area between them is a demilitarized zone in which UNDOF observers operate.

Because UNDOF is more focused on the the ceasefire along the DMZ, it doesn’t usually comment on the Israeli airstrikes against Syria, which are increasingly common. These attacks are substantial violations of the ceasefire, of course, but they’re outside of UNDOF’s purview.

Satellite images show Israel is constructing a road along the Alpha Line. That’s not necessarily a huge problem itself, but the troops doing the construction have repeatedly crossed the Alpha Line during the construction, which began in July. That’s a very provocative action.

Though the occupied Golan Heights is still considered Syrian territory by the international community, Israel annexed it in December 1981. The UN Security Council ruled that annexation null and void, but there is no sign Israel is going to transfer the territory back to Syria.

Tensions are already soaring between Israel and pretty much the entire region. Israel has conducted at least seven distinct airstrikes against Syrian territory so far this month, including attacks in Homs, Aleppo, Damascus and Idlib.