Israeli military ground raids into southwest Syria continued to happen in growing numbers this weekend, with troops raiding multiple towns and villages in Daraa and Quneitra Governorates.
At least four Syrian civilians were reported captured over the course of the weekend’s operations. One was reported captured Saturday during the operations around al-Razaniyah, in northern Quneitra, though the detainee was reportedly from Daraa.
Three other locals from Quneitra were also captured in the course of IDF activities in the countryside of the governorate, including a checkpoint established in the area. Those three included one from Saida al-Golan and two from Jbata al-Khashab.
Israeli artillery fires on fields in Syria’s Quneitra Governorate | Image from SOHR
Details are still scant on what happened to those four detainees, and as of yet none of them have been reported to have been released. Though Israel often releases detainees after a few hours or days, some are held for months or even years. None, seemingly, are ever charged with any crimes.
UN officials have recent met with family members of the people held by Israel, who are seeking international help to find out their fate. The UN estimated last week that Israel was holding at least 49 Syrians, though that number has continued to grow.
In addition to the raids and detentions, Israeli forces fired artillery shells against northern Quneitra’s countryside. No casualties were reported in the incident.
