Israeli military says it has strengthened its presence on the occupied Golan Heights

Описание: (8 Dec 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Israeli-occupied Golan Heights - 8 December 2024
1. Various wide shots of IDF vehicles driving through Syrian side of Quneitra border crossing back to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights side
2. Benny Gantz, Israeli politician and former military chief, talking to journalist as he visits the border area
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Benny Gantz, Israeli politician and former military chief:
“Israel has security interest along the border, we have no other interest in this region and I’m sure the IDF will position himself (itself) in a defensive approach to improve defences along the border, but that will leave the lines in their exact position for them.”
4. Various of IDF tanks
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Benny Gantz, Israeli politician and former military chief:
“I think that what is important is to make sure that the Iranians are going back, and not (that) we are going forward, that’s the most important thing, thank you very much.”
6. Wide of Quneitra border crossing between Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Syria
7. UN peacekeeping force base next to Quneitra crossing
8. Wide of border area
STORYLINE:
The Israeli military said on Sunday it sent troops to “other places necessary for its defence,” and that the force deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.

It added it was "not interfering with the internal events in Syria.”

IDF vehicles could be seen driving back from Syria into the Golan Heights through the Quneitra gate on Sunday morning, an indication that some troops moved inside Syria.

The Syrian government flag was still flying on the Syrian side of the border.

Benny Gantz, a retired general and political rival to Netanyahu, said Israel has only security concerns along the border and has “no other interests in the area,” as he visited the border area.

“I think that what is important is to make sure that the Iranians are going back, and not (that) we are going forward, that’s the most important thing,” he told the Associated Press.

Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it, a move not recognised by much of the international community, which views the territory as occupied. 

A later ceasefire agreement created a demilitarised buffer zone between the two countries’ territories, prohibiting military presence or activity from either side in the area.

United Nations peacekeepers have patrolled the area since 1974.

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