Netanyahu declares Golan Heights will forever belong to Israel

In the wake of significant recent shifts within Syria, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the nation from the Golan Heights, emphasizing its eternal attachment to Israel. This statement follows the rapid destabilization and collapse of the Syrian regime led by Bashar al-Assad, which occurred over the weekend as rebel forces gained ground in Damascus. Netanyahu cited this collapse as a direct consequence of Israel's military actions against groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran, bolstering his claim of sovereignty over the Golan Heights. The Golan Heights has historically been a contentious territorial point between Israel and Syria, with Israel seizing control during the Six-Day War in 1967 and subsequently annexing the region, a move widely unrecognized internationally. Netanyahu's recent remarks, made during a video address while overseeing Israeli military operations, assert that both the existing U.N. disengagement agreements from 1974 and international claims on sovereignty are now void due to the changing power dynamics in Syria. Netanyahu's announcement included a reference to Donald Trump’s decision in 2019 to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, marking it as a pivotal moment in Israeli history. He asserted that the region will now unquestionably remain an inseparable part of Israel. This development comes against the backdrop of ongoing security operations designed to reinforce Israeli control within a newly targeted 400-square-kilometer demilitarized buffer zone in Syrian territory. Despite Netanyahu's declarations, the international community has voiced criticism. U.N. officials highlighted that Israel’s military activities in the buffer zone represent breaches of established agreements, raising concerns about potential escalations in military confrontation. Neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Qatar, condemned these actions, warning that they undermine Syrian sovereignty and threaten regional stability. As tensions escalate, Israel's military presence in this contentious area is expected to continue provoking international scrutiny and regional backlash.