[News] Israeli gov. approves plan to expand settlements in occupied Golan

[Anti-Imperialist News]

english.almayadeen.net
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/israeli-gov--approves-plan-to-expand-settlements-in-occupied>
Israeli gov. approves plan to expand settlements in occupied Golan
Al Mayadeen English
December 15, 2024
------------------------------

Al Mayadeen’s correspondent in Syria reports that Israeli forces are
expanding their occupation in the countryside of Quneitra.
[image: b48556d8-2ad1-4052-8149-ab2ef66741f7.jpg]

   - An Israeli army vehicle drives in the UN-patrolled buffer zone, which
   separates Israeli and Syrian forces on the Golan Heights, near the village
   of Majdal Shams in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights on December 15, 2024
   *(AFP)*

The Israeli government announced Sunday its decision to advance settlement
expansion in the occupied Syria Golan Heights, citing "the war and the new
front facing Syria," as well as a goal to double the Israeli population in
the region as a reason.

"Strengthening the Golan is strengthening the State of Israel, and it is
especially important at this time. We will continue to hold onto it, cause
it to blossom, and settle in it," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
stated.

*Al Mayadeen*’s correspondent in Syria reported that Israeli forces are
expanding their occupation in the countryside of Quneitra and have entered
a new village, adding that they are advancing toward taking control of the
town of el-Maalgah in southern Syria.

Our correspondent also noted that the Israeli occupation military has
seized control of the most important freshwater sources in southern Syria,
located in the al-Yarmouk Basin.

Additionally, our correspondent stated that Israeli forces are now 15
kilometers away from the international highway linking Damascus and Beirut.

According to *Al Mayadeen*'s correspondent, Israeli drones are flying at
low altitudes over the al-Yarmouk Basin in western Daraa, broadcasting
messages to the elders of the village of Koayiah, calling for meetings with
the Israeli military to reach agreements.

He added that the Israeli occupation military seeks further incursions into
western Daraa, aiming to occupy Koayiah.

On its part, the *Anadolu Agency *reported that the Israeli military has
occupied three new villages in southern Syria: Jamlah in Daraa Governorate
and Mazraat Beit Jinn and Mughr al-meer in the Damascus countryside.

Moreover, the Israeli *Channel 12* reported that the Israeli government
unanimously approved Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's plan to encourage
demographic growth in the Golan Heights and Katzrin.

"The immediate risks to the country have not disappeared and the latest
developments in Syria increase the strength of the threat - despite the
moderate image that the rebel leaders claim to present," Israeli Security
Minister Israel Katz said during discussions on Israel's defense budget,
according to a statement.

Last week, Netanyahu claimed that the occupied Syrian Golan Heights is Israeli
"for eternity"
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/netanyahu-says-occupied-syrian-golan-heights-israeli--for-et>
.

Speaking in occupied al-Quds, he underscored that Israeli occupation
forces' control of the high ground "ensures our security and sovereignty."

"Israel's" actions are considered "a violation" of the 1974 "disengagement
agreement" between "Israel" and Syria according to both the United Nations
and all countries neighboring occupied Palestine.

But Ahmad al-Sharaa, the head of the new Syrian administration, said the
body has "no intention of confronting Israel
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/we-are-not-looking-to-engage-in-conflict-with--israel---al-s>
."

"We are not looking to engage in a conflict with Israel and cannot bear
such a battle," indicated al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad
al-Jolani, who is also the leader of the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group
that managed, as part of an alliance, to capture most of the Syrian
territory and lead to the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad last
week.
'Israel' completely destroyed Syria’s air defense systems

"Israel", which describes its incursion into Syrian territory as a limited
and temporary action aimed at ensuring border security, has conducted
hundreds of airstrikes targeting strategic weapons stockpiles in Syria.

The Israeli occupation government has claimed that these operations aim to
destroy strategic weapons and military infrastructure to prevent their use
by groups that ousted al-Assad.

In a related context, *Al Mayadeen*’s correspondent said that the Israeli
occupation military has completely destroyed Syria’s air defense systems
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/iof-completely-destroyed-air-defense-systems-in-syria--exclu>,
pointing out that "Israel" is not only targeting strategic weapons depots
in Syria but also medium-level ones.

On Sunday morning, the Israeli military announced that its recent attacks
had caused "severe damage" to Syria's air defense system, claiming that
"over 90% of strategic surface-to-air missiles" had been destroyed.

*Sputnik* also cited sources as saying that approximately 52 Israeli
airstrikes were carried out on Syria between Saturday night and early
Sunday morning, with loud explosions reported across various Syrian
provinces.

In detail, Israeli reconnaissance aircraft are daily monitoring Syrian
military sites across the country, followed by airstrikes targeting those
sites to destroy weapons, ammunition, and military equipment.

*Read more: Foreign powers seek to divide Syria: IRGC Chief
<https://english.almayadeen.net/news/politics/foreign-powers-seek-to-divide-syria--irgc-chief>*
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