Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Sunday that the Golan Heights would remain an "integral part of Israel," citing regional instability in Syria and the collapse of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Addressing a press conference, Netanyahu stated that the disengagement agreement established after the 1973 Yom Kippur War was no longer applicable, as Syrian forces had vacated their positions. In response, Netanyahu directed the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to secure the buffer zone in the area.
"The Golan Heights will forever remain an integral part of Israel," Netanyahu affirmed, emphasizing its strategic and security importance for Israel.
He also attributed al-Assad's fall to Israeli actions targeting the Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah and Iranian forces operating in Syria.
Strategic Importance of the Golan Heights
The Golan Heights, a strategically critical plateau in southwestern Syria, has been under Israeli control since the Six-Day War in 1967. In 1981, Israel unilaterally annexed the territory, a move not recognized internationally. Most nations and the United Nations continue to view the region as Syrian territory under Israeli occupation.
As Syria remains fragmented due to ongoing conflicts, Israel's control over the Golan Heights remains a focal point of geopolitical tension in the Middle East.
