Israel has capped off an August that saw a steady increase in number and intensity of incursions into southwest Syria with a further escalation, with multiple new infiltrations into the country and at least one new detention reported.
The weekend operations were largely against the Quneitra Governorate, where IDF troops entered Al-Samdaniya al-Gharbiya, and established a checkpoint in al-Ajraf. In the northern part of Quneitra, Israeli tanks entered the area near the UNDOF checkpoint at Tel al-Hawa. It was unclear why the tanks were there.
The operations continued into this week. Tuesday, Israeli troops reportedly invaded the residential neighborhood of the town of Jamleh in Daraa Governorate, staying briefly before moving on down the road to Saysoun. No detentions were reported.
Israeli troops overlooking southwest Syrian territory | Image from SOHR
Israeli troops west of al-Rafid, in Quneitra Governorate, captured a shepherd who was actively tending his flock and took him back to the occupied Golan Heights. His fate is unknown at present, and Israel has not issued a statement regarding his capture.
Civilians are routinely captured by invading Israeli troops and taking them back to Israeli territory, and since agriculture workers are most often outside of the towns they are the most prone to being caught unawares by invading forces. Though many are released within a few hours or days, some are held far longer.
The civilian detentions are a particular concern because of the total lack of oversight regarding the captives once they’re dragged into Israeli occupied territory. Israel rarely comments on them at all, and lists of who are being held or why are not made available to anybody.
